POLITICAL.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11111, 28 November 1914, Page 7

POLITICAL.

THE PREMIER AT HAWBRA. CONFIDENCE IN THE REFORM PARTY. Per Press Association. Hawera, Nov. 27. The Prime Minister’s North Island campaign commenced this evening at Hawera, where he addressed at the Opera House the largest pnblio meeting ever held in the town. The Mayor, Mr Whittington, presided over an andienoe of 1800 people, and hundreds were unable to gain admission. Settlers from the surrounding districts came in large numbers and the theatre was densely packed. Mr Massey was in excellent form and on rising to speak was greete,d with an ovation which lasted for several minutes. He dealt with the land settlement‘policy of the Government, showing what had been accomplished during the term of the Reform Government in spite of tbe fact that the area of first class Crown land available for settlement was becoming less every year. Tbe action of the Government in connection with the settlement of the West Coast Native leases question, which so vitally concerned the Taranaki province met with hearty applause. Mr Massey spoke on similar lines to his speeches in the South Island regarding financial and other important political questions. He vigorously defended the actions of the Government in connection with the industrial troubles of last year and Dis statement that the Government, if faced with similar conditions, would do the same in the future was received with cheers. Mr Massey dealt at length with the Huntly disaster and stated that the whole matter would be thrashed out in the Supreme Court, and the blame apportioned to the proper quarter. The report of the Commission set- up to inquire into the causes of the disaster had absolved the Government from blame, and he quoted from the report of the Commission in support of a two hours’ speech. Mr Massey resumed his seat amid loud cheers. A vote of thanks and confidence in the Government was carried witn great enthusiasm, an amendment of thanks only being received with a very poor response. The meeting broke up with cheers for the Prime Minister. A small section of th.e “Red Fed” element made themselves conspicuous by interjections, but the meeting was eighty per cent, in favour of tbe Government.