MR. LUKE'S SPEECH

Evening Post, Volume XCV, Issue 50, 27 February 1918, Page 3

MR. LUKE'S SPEECH

The candidate, Mr. J. P. Luke, was received with 'every sign . of enthusiasm. He recalled the meeting held in the Town Hall two. niglits. after the outbreak of war, when the' peoplo of Wellington pledged' themselves not to withhold men or efforts in the prosecution of the war to a satisfactory end. If the soldiers in the trenches could have seen the way in I which some persons had behaved at this I meeting while Mr. Massey and Sir Joseph Ward were speaking they would have been ashamed. Mr. Luke referred to the introduction of conscription as being necessary to ensure that the country should fulfil its obligations and all men bo treated alike. Why had those who were creating a disturbance not volunj'teered? They should be supporting the women who were working so nobly for the soldiers. He'had been working for the returned soldiers, for the soldiers in camp, and for the soldiers at the Front. " I am on the side of law and order and good government. ' You have not had any personalities from John Luke during this contest, and you will not have any. I say to you now: Cease this striving, pull together, do all you can to select the best man to help the National Government to carry on to victory." (Loud applause.) Dr. Thacker, who had interjected while Mr. Luke was speaking, .attempted to speak, but was shouted down, and the chairman closed the meeting with a vote of thanks, heartily accorded, to the speakers. While the National Anthem was being played a few members of the audience made themselves conspicuous by remaining seated.