AN UPROARIOUS SCENE.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 1463, 18 March 1905, Page 5

AN UPROARIOUS SCENE.

A SIDELIGHT ON MR SEDDON'S AUCKLAND MEETING.

There was an uproarious scene at the conclusion of Mr Seddon's speech on Tuesday night (writes the correspondent of 'Truth')- As Mr Seddon resumed his seat, Mr W. Coleman mounted the platform to move a vote of thanks and confidence. Simultaneously several other persons dashed up the stairway, and ihe presence among them of Mr William Richardson showed that a storm was brewing. The incident was the first act in °a general uproar. A crowd of men pushed from all parts of the hall towards the front of the platform. At the back of the hall the audience in a mass stood on chairs, craning forward to set' what was happening. Mr Coleman, under difficulty, moved "That this meeting thanks die Right Hon. the Premier for his able address, and expresses unabated conlidence in the present Governm-nt." Loud cheers, mingled with hooting, followed. Mr P. J. Nerheny, president of the Auckland Liberal and Labor Federation, seconded from the floor of the hall.

Someone near the foot of the platform endeavored, unsuccessfully, to gain a hearing, and the storm broke when Mr Richardson, who for a brief spell had been silent, advanced to the front of the platform, with papers in hand, as if to speak. The Mayor promptly spoke to him, and he was observed to retire or to be drawn to the rear, amid alternate hooting and cheering. Half-way down the steps he turned and again approached the front. The chairman then informed him that he was about to put the motion ill the ordinary way, after which an amendment could be moved. He asked Mr Richardson to stand back. Mr Richardson declined to do so, saying something about having a right to be there, whereupon Mr Mitchelson pushed Mr Richarson oIY the platform. This incensed his sympathisers, and they rushed to his assistance, only to be met at the fool of tho stairs by a party of others who take the opposite side. A tussle ensued on. the stairs, then the police closed in. Inspector Cullen and a constable forcing their way to the staircase, and Mr I'iehardson was led, without violence, from the platform. The hooting was deafening.

After a spell of disorder there was a new outburst of cheering, and .Mr Richardson, whose white coat made him conspicuous, was seen to have been released from the hands of the police, and to be coming- to the front again unhindered. The Mayor handed him a glass of water, and, calling upon the audience for order, announced that Mr Richardson was perfectly in order in moving his amendment. Mr Richardson started to move his amendment. " Ladies," he shouted, and instantly there was a roar of groans and hooting. Solitary words from the speaker then alternated with roars of disapproval from the audience, which by this time had advanced in a body to the front of the hall, which was packed closely around the platform. The noise subsided and gave place to humorous bantering of the speaker while he arranged with a supporter to second the amendment.

The Mayor came forward Mid announced that he would put the amendment, " and we'll all go homo quietly." But- the crowd renewed the din, in spite of which the Mayor proceeded to shout the wording from the platform. What 'Vould lie heard was, " That the Premier, having refused to answer questions, thereby displayed an amount of cowardice unworthy of a

man in his position, and the persistent manner in which lie refused to the North Island a fair share of public expenditure, although he vecei' ed the surport of the Auckland members, showed that he was hostile to the Auckland end of the colony, and was, therefore, unworthy of confidence." Nothing more of the amendment could Ix; heart!, but a man near the platform moved his arms widely to attract attention, and signified that he seconded it. The amendment was put to the meeting and rejected with a chorus of hoots and frantic yells, and the resolution of confidence in the Premier was carried ami-c[st cheers, mixed with veils of disapproval. Mr Seddon, who had been a silent spectator of the disorderly seem', came to the front of- the platform, and, waiting until his supporters had enthusiastically sung " For he's a jolly good fellow," said : " Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, I shall come again." He called for three cheers for the Mayor, a compliment, which was quickly and heartily paid, and Mr Seddon, who succeeded best of any of the claimants for attention in getting a hearing, lead the audience with his stentorian voice in the familiar refrain of " Auld Lang Syne."