POLITICAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCV, Issue 10920, 31 March 1896, Page 5

POLITICAL.

[Per Press Association.] NAPIER, March 30. The largest political meeting ever held at Napier gave a most enthusiastic reception to Captain Russell, Dr Newman and Mr P. S. M’Lean, who explained the objects Of the National Association. The only motion passed was one of thanks to the speakers. NELSON, March 30. Mr Graham, member for Nelson, addressed a crowded meeting to-night, and received a vote of thanks and confidence. (From Our Correspondent.] NAPIER, March 30. A meeting was held to-night under the auspices of the National Association. There was a very large attendance. The speakers were Captain Russell, Dr Newman and Mr P. S. M’Lean, president of the local branch of the Association, who also occupied the chair. The speeches were a rehash of former efforts, and the speakers got a mixed reception. No attempt was made at outlining a policy, shouts from the audience of “ What’s your policy P” only bringing a reply “To turn out the Seddon Government.” Dr Newman repeated the statement about the navy, which had already been contradicted. He was thereupon interrupted with the words “It’s a false statement,” After a few interchanges. Dr Newman abandoned the point, but Mr M’Lean re-introduced it by calling into question the veracity of the person who interrupted. Confusion followed, and Mr M’Lean permitted an explanation, which was that the Hawke’s Bay Herald, the leading Opposition journal had itself contradicted the statement that Mr Ward had said that New Zealand would have to build at once a navy of its own. Mr M’Lean’s retort was, “ Then it only serves to show that the Hawke’s Bay Herald can itself be misled by the misstatements of the Government Press." From this point Mr M’Lean was frequently interrupted, and the meeting ended unsatisfactorily, insomuch that the seconder of the vote of thanks could not obtain a hearing. The meeting was goodhumoured throughout, but every reference to turning the Government out met with derisive laughter from a very large section of the audience. The feature of the meeting was that the house was “ packed ” by holders of tickets, and all the applause was led by these; but there was generally a hollow sound about it.