THE PREMIER’S MEETING.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10509, 20 November 1912, Page 5

THE PREMIER’S MEETING.

POLICE PRECAUTIONS. Per Press Association. Auckland, November 20. In anticipation of a labour disturbance in connection with the demonstration against the action of Government in protecting the Waihi workers, elaborate arrangements have been made to cope with any rowdyism at the meeting to be addressed by the Prime Minister in the Town Hall to-night. Commissioner Cullen and thirty constables, mounted and foot, are coming from Waihi, and a similar number fiom Huntlydo augment the city force. - AN ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION. Auckland, November 19, Mr Massey was this morning accorded a reception, and presented with an illuminated address by the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Poilitcal Reform League, on the occasion of his first official visit to Auckland since his accession to Prime Ministerial rank. The Town Hall, where the function was held, was crowded to overflowing. The Prime Minister was accorded a wildly enthusiastic reception, and, amid the playing of national airs on the organ, the crowd stood up and cheered itself hoarse. Mr C. J. Parr, Mayor, presided, and amongst those on' the platform were the Hons Allen, Herries, Rhodes and Pomare and Mrs Massey. Mr Aicken, (vice-president of the Auckland branch) presented an address bearing nearly 13,000 signatures. THE ROWDY MOB. Auckland, November 19. A disgraceful scene in the streets followed the Prime Minister’s reception at the Town Hall, a large mob having to be dispersed by the police from the vicinity of the Grey Statue. More than once during the disturbance a riot looked imminent, and hundreds of men, women and youths began to congregate at the Queen street and Grey street entrances to the Town Hall at 7 p.m., and by 7.30 p.m. there were from , 1500 to 2000 in two crowds. It was evident that their object was to greet Mr Massey with a hostile demonstration when he arrived. In this they were, however, disappointed, the Prime Minister having reached the hall before the would-be demonstrators had assembled. With the object of preventing any trouble, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Cullen, had arranged for a force of over one hundred constables, several* of whom were mounted, to be on duty, at the Town Hall. The arrival of this large body of uniformed officers of the law, under Mr Cullen himself, Inspector Mitchell and Subinspector Hendry, was the signal for a derisive outburst from the mob but no active demonstration was made. When prolonged cheering from inside the hall announced the fact that Mr Massey had made, his appearance on the platform, the out-manoeuvred Federationists in Grey street gave vent to their chagrin by boooing vigorously while the meeting was in progress. No attempt whatever was made by the strikers or their friends to in-,, terrupt the proceedings. Instead, they quietly assembled around the Grey Statue, where they were addressed by several prominent Federationists and strike leaders. To the surprise of the party around the Grey Statue, the gathering in the Town Hall . ended at 9.45 p. m. Immediately there was a rush towards the Town Hall. A squad of mounted police making for the Grey Street entrance to the building indicated that the Prime Minister was expected to come out at that side. Hot in the wake of the mounted men surged a crowd now numbering over 2000, . the majority of whom were booing with great energy. With remarkable generalship, the Commissioner ’ of Police had his forces marshalled in Grey street. As the crowd advanced from Queen street, the police made a counter-move against them, and headed them off some distance up from the entrance doors. As they went firmly forward, the police were accompanied by a sympathetic crowd, amongst whom were many who had been sworn in as special constables. These cheered lustily for Mr Massey, their full-throated heartiness drowning the boohs which came from another mob of Federationists. A sudden move by the mounted constables opened up a lane through the hostile ranks nmidst further boohing and jeering. The checkmated mob stood sullenly back on the footpaths, and waited for Mr Massey’s motor car to come past. Again they were doomed to disappointment. The Prime Minister and Mrs Massey, with their party, having stepped aboard and been ’ heartily cheered by a large crowd of loyal supporters, were driven away up Grey street. As soon as the Federationists realised that their prey had • evaded them, they broke out into frenzied boohings and for a while matters looked ugly. After waiting to give the crowd a chance to disperse, Commissioner Cullen recognised that it was not their intention to do anything of the sort. He thereupon formed up his men—the mounted and foot—and, led by the former, the whole force marched steadily towards Queen street and through the assembled mob. The police paid no attention to the chorus of boohs and groans indulged in by the Federationists, and a strong counterdemonstration was made by a large proportion of the onlookers. The police halted in the vicinity of Grey Statue and the mob gathered round, at a loss to understand the move. For about 20 minutes the police stood where they were,' whilst individuals taunted them and more orators harangued the mob. Presently a Federation leader mounted the base of the statue and urged all supporters of the Federation to go home quietly, and not cause trouble. Most of the leaders then disappeared, but the crowd obstinately remained. At 10.25 the police were again put into motion in order ' to disperse the crowd. The mounted j men skirmished around the statue I in a circle, which they gradully I widened until the crowd was back on to the footpath.. Several minor disturbances now took place. A ‘booh” would be heard in one direction, whereupon a body of police made a rush and pressed the offenders back. Rush after rush of this kind was carried out with such success that in ten minutes,

and without a person being injured, the mob was diminished by onehalf. Of those wh© remain»d very many were anti-Pederationiste; indeed, had any serious resistance been made, the police would have had plenty of willing assistance.' Shortly after 11 p.m. the mob, tired of its futile behaviour, and after having discussed matters in groups, recognised that the odds were against them and that the police were determined. They all dwindled away gradually and made for their homes; YOUTHFUL REFORMERS ATTACKED. Auckland, November 20. After the meeting in the Town, Hall last night some 50 young men, mostly old college boys, supporters of the Reform Party, were subjected to insulting language from the rough crowd, and were scornfully referred to as “College pups.’’They handed together and marched down Queen street. Some irresponsible youths followed, using their ’fists freely. One lad was almost stunned by a blow on the hack of the head. The police intervened. Subsequently 10 members of the youthful Reform Party were attacked near the wharf. Blows were, interchanged till police interference scattered the crowd.