MR KEIR HARDIE.

North Otago Times, 7 January 1908, Page 1

MR KEIR HARDIE.

± . Pov Press Association. Wellington, Jan. G. Mr Kief Hai'dio. addressed over two thousand people in the Town Hall lust evening. The Mayor (tho Hon. T. W. Ilislop) presided. The meeting was remarkably enthusiastic, the speaker hciny repeatedly cheered, and there was not a single interruption. His address in the main concerned Socialism and the aims of, tho Socialists. Speaking with reference to his doings and sayings in India, lie stated that a discredited journalist in India had cabled, an incorrect version of his sayings to one of tho Home papers. Four other accounts (which were correct) had been ignored here by the press, It was a strange thing that the people of India, tho officials—from tho Viceroy 'downwards-mid the public press there knew nothing about these tilings, He could well remember the astonishment there was in Calcutta when tho news was published there from London that ho was playing the part of a firebrand and inciting the people to sedition and rebellion. The man who had sent the incorrect report was a liar. lie had been subjected to some criticism in his time, but to nothing so insulting as tho remarks of tho New Zealand press concerning himself, his personality, and his opinions,—(Applause.) At the proper time and place he would have a good deal to say about India and tho conditions in tlmt unhappy country. He stated that Socialism was rapidly advancing, and ho hoped tho day was not far distant when tho workers of .this country would slioW iiiS're zeal in" ti'adfiff unionism and mora interest in political affairs; when the clement that should dominate Parliament would not lie tho landlord or tho capital italistic element, but the human element—tho working class,