PUBLIC MEETING IN WELLINGTON.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue 7366, 18 January 1902, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING IN WELLINGTON.

Wellington, January 17. There was an enormous crowd at the public meeting convened by the Mayor to-day to protest against the recent Continental slanders against the British nation. Prominent on the stage were members of the Ministry and Parliament, City Councillors, and leading citizens. The following motion was proposed by Mr John Duthie, seconded by Mr B. C. Bruce, and carried : — " That the citizens of Wellington desire to express (1) their emphatic approval of the attitude of the British Governmeat in tho conduct of the South African war, and to record their appreciation of the complete refutation by the Bight Hon Joseph Chamberlain of the foreign slanders upon the honor of the British forces serving in South Africa ; (2) that the Premier be requested to transmit a copy of the resolution to the Secretary of State fov the Colonies." Stirring speeches were made by the mover and seconder, their utterances being supplemented by the Chief Justice, the Premier, Sir Joseph Ward, and others.

Mr Seddon emphasised the necessity of bringing the war to a conclusion, and declared that if mors men were wanted at the front after the Eighth Contingent, more would be forthcoming from New Zealand. Whatever the number of men required they should go. In one way the slanders of the German Press were regrettable, though they were also a blessing in disguise, for they had brought home to the world the homogeneous nature of the British Empire, and the determination of its people to uphold the honour of the country and the flag.

Subsequently an overflow meeting was addressed from the steps of the General Post Office by Mr Seddon, Sir Joseph Ward, Mr Harold Beauchamp, Bey. Bond, and Miss Seddon, when amidst loud cheering resolutions were carried expressive of the horror of the women of New Zealand at the calumnies circulated in Germany reflecting on the honor of the sons and husbands of the women of the Colonies and the Motherland, and expressing complete confidence in Mr Chamberlain and sympathy with the efforts made to defend the fair fame of the British Army from the foul calumniators.

Similar resolutions were adopted last night by an immense public meeting at Dunedin, and by the Nelson Borough Council.