GREAT FEDERAL MEETING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11057, 8 May 1899, Page 6

GREAT FEDERAL MEETING.

A DISGRACEFUL UPROAR. Thb meeting in the Sydney Town Hall on May 1, in support of the Commonwealth Constitution Bill, was in every respect a " monster" one. The hall was provided with Beating accommodation to hold about 3000 persons, but half as many more found standing room. The proceedings were timed to commence at eight o'clock. The hall, however, was packed shortly after seven. During the interval Mons. Wiegand played selections upon the organ. The platform was crowded with prominent federalists and members of Parliament, lions. Wiegand did not play "The Storm," but that commenced immediately the Premier and Mr. Barton entered. It was some time before a sin°lo word Mr. Reid said could be heard. A small section of persons at the back of the hall (kept up an incessant howling. By way of diversion an individual stood upon a chair in the middle of the hall with his coat turned inside out, and pointed to the Premier Every now and then, when the tumult became worse, Mr. Reid would call for three cheers for Federation, and the magnificent responso from all quarters of tho denselypacked building showed what a small minority the anti-billites really were. One voice however, is as nothing when pitted against a couple of hundred, and the Premier had for the greater portion of the time to content himself with speaking to the reporters. •About half-past eight a few bars of " As We Go Marching On" were sung, and several persons were removed from various portions of the hall. The great majority of the vast audience could only look on with disgust. The galleries were crowded with ladies. Only those directly opposite the platform could possibly hear the Premier's speech. The others had to be contented with the "concert" which look place at the back of the hall. Mr. Reid, however, was not to be put down. He kept steadily on, and finally delivered his speech in spite of all the uproar. At the close of the meeting a vote was taken for and against the Bill. Thousands of hands were held up in its favour. A few only were flourished aloft against it. Tho meeting was undoubtedly a great demonstration in favour of Federation. At any rate, it was viewed in this light by Mr. Reid. Upon being seen afterwards by a Herald reporter, the Premier stated that he looked upon the meeting as having been a most successful one. "It will," he stated, "serve two purposes. In the first place it will show that there is a most substantial majority of people in Sydney in favour of tho Amended Bill, and in the second it will prove that our opponents are rapidly branding their cause with disorder and lowmindedncss. I am thoroughly satisfied with the object-lesson of to-night." Mr. Reid added, "and I think that it will finally end in the triumphant euccesj pi the Federal cause,"