AN UPROARIOUS WOMEN'S MEETING.

Otago Witness, Issue 2231, 3 December 1896, Page 29

AN UPROARIOUS WOMEN'S MEETING.

AN INDESCRIBABLE AND DEPLORABLE SCENE.

What was one of the most disorderly meetings ever held in Dunedin took place on Tuesday afternoon in the Y.W.C.A. Rooms. The meeting was convened by Mrs Hislop and Mrs Don to consider the selection of the three candidates for parliamentary honours by the Women's Franchise League. The Rev. A. S&underi presided, and there were fully 200 ladies present. There were also in attendance the Rev. R. Taylor, W. Ready, aud Mr Joseph Hatton. The Chairman said that if he had consulted bis own pleasure he would not preside at that meeting that afternoon. Ho had always been happy to regard Mrs Habbon as one of his public friends — (applause), — and it was with extreme reluctance, therefore, that he did any- j thing in opposition to her action, bub in this instance he had no choice but to accede to the j request that had been made to him to preside at that meeting. — (Applause.) If as a member oi the Boetrd of Advice, of which he believed , he was a member, his counsel had been sought and then rejected, be might have kept silent thab day, bub he- with other membere of the Board of Advice had been passed over, and it would seem that their names bad been sought to give influence to the league, bub that any interference on their part had always been deprecated.— (Cries of "No," and applause.) He repeated fchafc his services in common with the services of other members of the Board of Advice had been solicited, and, therefore, it seemed that their names had been obtained for influence bub thab their inberference was not wanted. His astonishment bad been very greab at the league's choice of candidates. He thought at the time it was a mistake fcbafc would be speedily rectified, especially when he was told of the composition of thab meeting. A second meeting bad been convened, bub the request of members to see a roll of the membership of the league was refused. How it was that member.* of the league of good standing had nob the righfe of access to the books of the leegue he could not; understand. Ib might be good business in women's leagues, bub ib was not in men's leagues. Since the selection of the candidates matters had been growing speedily, worse. Those who were dominant in the women's league had of late growu — should he say hysterical. — (Applause and dissent.) Ha said j the word calmly, and selected a term whioh he j thought would express his feeHr.g. Ho said j the dominant section of the league had become hys'.erical. Anything more damaging to the political influence of women in this city than j some receub advertisements could nob be conceived — (Applause ) Such advertisements and other things that had been spoken of might be grand emotion, splendid gash, and Una hero worship, bub ho hx,dno bepitetjon ia s*yicg it j was nob good politics. — (Applause.) In his I opinion, ■ clause 7 of tbe accepted platform had been badly violated by the recent action of the league. — (Loud cries of " No,'' dissent and applause. Mr Hatxon : "No, not ab all.") Mr HabtoD, who was at thftb meetiog the speaker knew- not by what righl — Mr Hatton : As a, member of the league. The Chairman : Mr Hatbon seemed to deny that he (the speaker) held the opinion that clause 7 had been violated. Clause 7 had been badly violated. Clause 7 read that the league recognised no political party. — (Mr Hatton: 44 Hear, hear.") A number within the league, and many without, held the opinion that in their choice of candidates they had violated clause 7, and the selection had bfiea an eminently party and Seddonian one. — (Uproar, which lasted for a considerable period.) It was within the power of tbe league to hold the balance of power between the two parties, and it was a greab mistake for tbe league to have gone co heartily for those particular candidates who bad the sanction of -"the Government. — (Loud dissent. A Voice : " They were ohosen by a majoriby of votes.") A lady informed him that they were ohosen by a majority of votes. — (Cries of "No," and applause.) He was not so new to the conduct of meetings to suppose that they were not chosen by v majority of the votes of those present, but he said thab the women who made thab selection gave to thab league an absolutely party character, and the result had been to alienate the sympathy of men and women in large numbers. — (Cries of "No" and applause. A Voice : "Don'fc you believe it.") They had alienated the sympathy. — (Uproar, and cries of " We have not.") Mra Trainor : Twenty-four joined our league, last mefiting.— (Prolonged applause. ) The Chairman : This was nob a question of hiDgs. The true feeling of tb.B meeting would be decided afterwards by a vote.— (Prolonged applause.) Thtn again clause 7 stated that they were to recognise no political party— (applause), — and to give their support to men of the best wputat ion for integrity and character who would pledge themselven to support their platform. Did the three who were chosen stand out above all the other candidates who would support the league's platform for integrity. He thought to say so was either folly or culpable ignorance. — (Cries of "No" and uproar.' A Voice: "We judge them by their actions.") It was blind Seddonianif-m to make the assertion. — (Renewed uproar, and a Voice : " That is your opinion.") He could not understand how the three stcod out pre-eminently amongot those who would lend their support to the league's platform. Personally he had a strong objection to one of those who had been selected, and it was astonishing thab- he had been selected in preference to others who were willing to graub the league all they asked. He referred to Mr Pinkerfcon. — (Vehement applause and disaent.) The ladies were not only developing lung-power, but something else.— (Renewed interruption.) Ho objected to Mr Pinkerton under clauses 4 aud 6 of the platform of thab league. Clause 4 stated that the league existed for the abolition of the totalisator, and the enactment of more stringent laws for the suppression of gambling. Therefore the league* was absolutely against gambling. His experience of Mr Pinkerton was | that when the proposal to dispose oi the Estates Company's assets by lotbery was before the country Mr Pinkerton alone of all the district members refused to take notice of the letters seat to him asking him to move against , such an iniquity. As secretary of the Social Reform League he (the speaker) wrote to him.and j received no reply. The secretary of the Ministers' Association and other societies wrote to him, and gob no reply. Other members in both parties were eager in stopping this, bub Mr Pinkerton had no sympathy with the efforts that were made to restrain this. He

.thought it undesirable thab the leaflqa should be split up, and he would like to see the excision of this one name. If ttis were done he believed there would be no opposition. For Mrs Don and J9rs Hislop he had the highest respect. They were held in honour by the city.— (Laughter and l-ipplaufie) Mrs Hislop (A.V6ICB: "What; j has she done for the city? Mrs Hislop b%s ! never done anything.") When the noiao wojc'h here followed had tubaided, the chairman corit - eluded bis remarks by urging those present to re-unite the league by reviewing their previous selection of oandidates, and thus give to tfte women of the oifcy an opportunity of vobiDg with the united counEel and advice of fche league. (Applause.) Mr Hatton here mounted the platform. The Chairman (vehemently) : Sib down, sib down ! — (Uproar.) Mr Hatton : I claim the right to speak. The Chairman : Will you sifc down ! A Voice: "Mr Saunders is forgetting himself. You are acting like a bully."— (Peraißteut interruption, and cries of "One-sided meeting.") The Chairman (to Mr Hafcton) : If you don't sit down I will send for a policeman. Mr Hatton persisted in bi3 efforts to speak, but finding it impossible to gain a hearing from the meeting he addressed the reporters wbo tab next to the stage. The noise was deafening, and albhough Mr Hatton shouted at tao top of h : s voice he w&s heard with the utmost djfflculby. He said: "I have a perfect right to speak, and I want to ask this meeting whether I will be heard or not. This is a publio meeting, Mr Reporter, called for the purpose of discussing matters in connection with the Franchise League. We are here, Mr Reporter, in reply to publio advertUement calling a publio meeting for the purpose of .disous&ing matters in connection with the FraDohue Ljagoe. . As a member of the Franchise League I claim the right to speak to every one present. I want the chairman to put it to the meeting whether I will be heard or not. If the meeting deoldea against me I will sit down instantly, and if nob I will not sit down." Mrs Don then came forward, as did Mrs Trainor. The I»tt9r said : "Will you allow me to speak ? " The Chairman : No. Mr Hatton : I am on my feet, Mr Reporter, and put it down. Mrs R. N. Adams : Put it to the vote. Mr Hatton: I &sk this. meeting whether I will be allowed to speak. Tbe scene at this stage was indescribably wild. Several perrons were on their feet, quite a number were speaking or screaming at the top of their voices, while now and fcheu ladies would rush forward and excitedly • address those on the platform, whilsb others gave way to fits of unrestrained merriment at the scene. Oue lady cried out to- Mr Ready, who was standing on tbe stage i •' If you' were not afraid you would allow us to apeak, Mr Ready. You are cowards." Mr Hatton : Will you ask the verdict of the meeting, Mr Chairman, as to whether I cad speak. , Mrs Don : I may sa> (Cries of " No.") The Rev. Mr Ready : This is awful. The Rev. Mr Tailor : You are only disgracing yourselves. « i The Chairman : This meeting, was called by Mrs' Hislop and Mra" Don. Whose meeting is it? Mr Hatton s Ifs the meeting's meeting. They have perfect control of it.— (Great intercaption here ensned.) ■ The Rev. Mr Ready, who had been sitting on the edge of the stage, mounted- the platform, and said itiie was within hia rights he would move the adjournment of the meeting. Mr* Hatton : No, no. Not unless lam | allowed to spe»k. i Mr Ready : Bufc it haa already been decided, I on accounb of principle. j The Chaieman :I am going to be fair, and I I will not allow Mr Ready or Mr Hatton to j speak; Mr Ready : I am not allowed to speak < Mr Hatxon : Well, don't speak. Mr Ready (laughing) : Well, why don't you stop speaking ? The Chairman (amid some noise) said : It is a very difficult positioD, and cannot bo avoided, bub I think I have at last succeeded iv coming to a solution of it. It is to ask those in favour cf Mr Hatton spoaking to stay behind after Mrs Don and Mrs Hislop have had their aay.— (Cries of "No, no.") The Chairman : Let us be a little reasonable. The suggestion I make ia because these ladies have made themselves responsible for the payment for this room.— (Mr Hattoh :'• Wo will pay the rent of this room.") I have no doubt there are people in this room, continued the chairman, prepared to meet the expense, but I think the proposition is an absolutely fair one. We will only keep the room for a shorb time, and you may take the room the very minute we are' done, and cirry on your meeting. It is a fair proposition. Mrs R. N. Adams : You tthoald have advertised for Mrs Don's and Mrs Hislop's supporters to come, and none else. I . Mrs Don, who had been standing on -the platform, ready to speak, during- the whole of : the foregoing proceedings, again essayed 1 " to speak, but had only said v Ladies " when ironical applause, tbe stamping of feet, and the free use of parasols on the floor interrupted her. This was continued for some minutes. The Chairman, when the noise had somewhat subsided, said Mrs Don and Mrs Hislop bad Lnen refused a hearing, and it was nob proper treatment. They had always been a credit to the league. He would dissolve the meeting. (Me Sauuders here left the chair). Mr Hatton : No, no ; every one of you stay behind. Mr Hatton here gob into a somewhat heated argument with several of the ladies, iv the course of which he was heard to pay thab this was an. attempt to damage the Franchise League. A Lady : You have done that most effectually. Mr Hatton (addressing Mr R%ady) said : Will you take the ohair, Mr Ready ? Mr Ready : No, no. Mr Hatton : Why not, why nob. I want to propose thab Mr Ready now take the chair.— (Applause) . I ask him to take the chair. Mr Ready : I will take the chair if you will move a resolution to strike out one of the names.— (Laughter.) Mr Hatton (turning to the Rev. Mi Saunders) : I suppose you would nob take the ohair for us. Mr Saunders : Nob now. Mr Hatton then called to Me Barron, who was standing at the back of the room, and requested him to take the position, bub he also refused. Mr Hatton then aaked the members of the press present to take the ohair, but they likewise declined. Mrs Trainor was then asked to take the ohair, and did so, Mr Hatton .• I want to move a resolution-—-Mr Ready (mounting the stage) : I have » message from tbe caretftkjsr that she hat fed the hall to Mrs Don and Mrs Hislop, and that no one else can have it,—- (" Oh, oh, and uproar.) Mr Hatton j Well, we will have a meeting yet. We * iU- a & amaut to the Coffee Palace.

We will have a good meeting yet). After the lapse of a few seconds, continuing, be said t I don't know whether it would be advisable to 'shift yet. There are a lot of things in political life, and I give these bodies credit for a good Seal of politioal gammon The Caretaker hero appeared, and, con* fronting Mr Hattop £ Baid t I let the room to JMrs Don ; will you kindly vacate it ? Mr Hatton: If Mrs Hislop (that lady having assumed the seat of the chairman) is going to stay in the chair for an hour, I will be glad to stay here and keep her company as long us any others like to remain. lam sure Mra Hislop, on reflection, won't be hard upou me, and I'll t'l- you why. Mrs Hislop is — (laughter)- di, I believe she has got a good, heart in her, and I think she will admit that people coming here for the purpose of defending themselves should have the opportunity of floicg bo. I don'b think Mrs Hislop will go so far as to say I shall not ask you I question or two. "What I want to lubmit to you, then, is this resolution — w That this meeting expresses its confidence in the action taken by the executive of the Women's Franchise League in connection with the selection of candidates, and, in consideration of the services rendered to the league by Metsrs Hutchison, Pinkerton, and Millar, considers their selection desirable and in turmony with the constitution of the league." — (Laughter and applause.) I contend, continued Mr Hatton, that Mr Pinkerfcon fulfils the platform of our league ; Mrs Hislop and the chairman have been very careful to express themselves concerning him, and I want to point tout where they are wrong. — (A Voice: "Put the resolution.") Mrs Hislop : How was it that at the selection of candidates fihere were so few ? Where were all you women ? There were only 40 or SO at the most, and now we have 150 at the least. Mr Hatton was again commencing to address those remaining, a number having moved into the adjoining room, the lobuy, or the street, when the caretaker interrupted with •• Will you please stop ? " Mr Hatton (Mrs Trainor having seconded the motion) : Those in favour of the resolution hold up their banns. A very lar^e number of hands having been raised in its favour, Mr Hatton called for a show of hands against it, but no hands were bald up.— (A Voice: "They are all gone away.") Mr Hatton: We should go home now happy. Many of those attending the meeting continued to wait about for some time, bat nothing farther eventuated.