A PERSONAL TRIUMPH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17338, 9 December 1919, Page 10

A PERSONAL TRIUMPH.

HOSTILITY OVERCOME. t ME, MASSEY fa PARNELL. INCIDENCE OF TAXATION. A personal triumph was achieved by" Mr. Massey when he addressed Mr. J. S. Dickson's meeting in the •'> Palace Theatre, Parneli, last evening.- -Between 500 and 600 people had crowded into the building, many standing down the aisles and at the front. A fair, section,, of the audience had shown distinct hostility to Mr. Dickson, ana interruptions had been frequent. In these circumstances-it was felt that Mr. Massey would not- receive a hearing. When he entered the building at a side door a tremendous uproar buret forth, cheering and "boo-ing," continuing for some* time., Supporters joined* in singing the National Anthem, but the frenzied efforts of the hostile section to "count out" Mr. Massey made frightful discord. When the. chairman, Mr. J. B. Paterson, introduced the Prime Minister further uproar and: counting out occurred, and by this time those outside were attempting to- push their way into the already overcrowded building, and the police had to close the doors: On rising to speak Mr. Massey was greeted with applause from the body of the hall and more "boo-ing" from the back and gallery. No sooner had he said " Mr. Chairman, ladies, and gentlemen," than pandemonium again broke out. Mr. Massey calmly stood facing the «udience, and soon the dominant- personality asserted itself. Gradually the noise subsided until there was silence. Silence Restored. -* > Commencing, Mr. Massey said he had just left a perfectly orderly meeting at Newmarket, and he hoped "he would be able to say the same of that one. (Applause.) *i I don't expect a political meeting to be like a Sunday-school gathering," he continued, " but if anyone thinks he will put me out by ' boo-ing " and making noise he never made such a mistake in his life." (Applause and " booing.") 'He referred to the Christchurch disturbance, and said he was pleased the proportion of people of a similar type in Auckland was exceedingly small. "This attempt to disturb meetings," he declared, " is one of the most cowardlythings ever attempted, (Applause and uproar.) And no one but cowards and dastards would attempt it. I don't think many of these people are here, .but those who are, I hope, will not forget what I say." (Applause.) Almost immediately complete silence was restored, and for the rest of his speech there was no attempt to howl him down. Interjections were frequent, but Mr. Massey, who was in good trim, scored off most of them.

Mr. Massey referred to the Cabinet split, stating that he had hoped that the National Government would go to the country. 'He described the reasons which caused the formation of the National Government, which had had its faults. It had made mistakes and if had become unpopular, but it -had had to do some unpopular things, among which was passing the Military Service Act. " I was responsible for it," he exclaimed in reply to an interjection; " and lam proud of it, and in similar circumstances I would do the same again." (Applause and some opposition.) ' " Why didn't «you conscript wealth?" shrieked a woman in the gallery. Mr. Massey: I may tell you that wealth was conscripted. ways and Coal. Proceeding, the Prime Minister referred to the increased taxation the National Government had had to impose, bat mentioned that very little of the extra burden had been paid by people of small means. The only tax the working man had to pay was that on tea. Voice ;_Tt is still going up. Mr. Massey: Maybe. I Tcad the other day that carraway seeds had gone up. (Laughter.) He referred to the # price of clothing, and said that the cost of his suit, which he had got in London, and which any tailor could make, would astonish them. A Cheerful Interjector: But yon went to a flash tailor. This led to*" some humorous sallies between Mr. Massey and the interjector, which caused great amusement. Continuing, Mr. Massey mentioned the railway, war, and coal restrictions, and added: "If you will look back you will see that the Governnfent did the right thing. Voice: No. Mr. Massey: That is about the proportion of objection—one in 500. (Laughter and applause). ** The War Gratuity. When he referred to the visit of himself and Sir' Joseph Ward to the Peace Conference, a voice called: Why the two of you ? Mr. Massey: That is another matter. I am not going to deal with that at all. When Mr. Massey mentioned Sir Joseph Ward's resignation from 'the Government, cheers and counter-cheers were given. He mentioned the difficulties which he had been faced with through having to recon struct the Cabinet at such shart notice, but added: "I am not whining about it." On the subject of the war gratuity, the speaker contrasted the, flat rate given by his Government with that given by the Liberal Government after ■ the South African War, when officers received 20 times more than privates. (Applause). " That," he commented, " shows the difference between .assumed Liberalism and real Liberalism." (Applause). When speaking of the housing scheme, a member of the Audience disputed Mr. Massey's contention that good houses could not be built on a rental basis of 10s 6d a week. Mr. Massey said this was impossible unless the money was taken from the Post Office Savings Bank, but depositors, he stated, were entitled to a fair rate of interest, and instead of having part of, their capital confiscated they should have every encouragement. (Applause). . _ A Prominent Interjector: I will always stick to you, Bill. Mr. Massey: Of- course you will. Extreme Labour Condemned. Referring to extreme Labour, Mr. Massey quoted some of the statements of the leaders of that party, and showed how important it was that -no Government should be at the dictates of these men. "If you don't want Mr. Holland in power how are you going to avoid it? " he asked. A Prominent Interjector: Put in Bill Massey. Mr. Massey: Exactly. I knew that you were near the kingdom' (Laughter). I welcome my friend to the penitent form. (Laughter). There is joy'over one sinner that repenteth. (More laughter). Concluding a notable effort, Mr. Massey appealed for increased production to help the Dominion to carry its burdens. "There is no happiness without contentment," he said, "and you cannot get contentment without prosperity and you cannot have prosperity without industry." (Applause). . On the motion of Mr. M. M. McCallum,-» vote of continued confidence in the Government and in the Government candidate was carried by a very large majority, after which cheers were given for Mr. Massey. Cheers for Labour were given by a section of the audience.