FORCES OF REACTION

Evening Post, Volume XCVIII, Issue 146, 18 December 1919, Page 9

FORCES OF REACTION

On other occasions Mr. Semple has been accorded a quiet hearing, but that was not the case last night. When hs made his appearance he was cheered at first, but the cheering was soon drowned by hooting. When he commenced to 6peak, Mr. Semple was counted out. "Ladies and gentlemen," ho said, when he was again counted out, and' there was considerable uproar. Mr. Semple waited for awhile, and a section started handclapping. When reasonable quiet reigned Mr. Somple said ho wanted to thank the ladies and gentlemen who had supported him. (The speaker was again, counted out,"^ and cheers followed.) "The Labour Party," said Mr. Semple, "had fought a clean, honourable fight, -the defeat he had suffered was due to the fact that the forces of reaction wera against him. Wealth and influence were against him. Motor-cars galore had come from the Wairarapa to assist his opponent. "I am not a scrap sorry afc the result," ho said, "for I can bs of more service to the Labour movement outside Parliament than inside. (Cheers.) The forces of reaction think they have secured a victory. 1 have been a thorn in their side for more than twenty years, but I will be a greater thorn in th» days to come." (Cheers and much hooting.) The Labour Party would commence to-morrow to organise for the next battle. Those who stood for Labour were fighters, and they would never take a beating in a cowardly fashion; "Labour, in spite of the forces of reaction, will win in New Zealand in the years to come." (Cheers and uproar.)