A ROWDY MEETING.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 74, 23 March 1912, Page 6

A ROWDY MEETING.

REGARDING THE FEDERATION OF LABOUR. PROFESSOR MILLS HECKLED. ■'Per Pr*»ss Assr>rin+''»o Auckland, March 23. A large meeting of timber workers was hold in tlm Federal Hall for the purpose of discussing the claims of the Labour Federation, and the Mills unity scheme, ended in a sort of disbonr«ion. Mr. Scott Bennett advocated the claims of the Federation and Professor Mills his nnitv scheme. , Mr. Bennett had a good hearing, but Professor Mills, on asserting that the threatened strike was the result of the latter being divided, was greeted with cries of “Rot!” and interruptions Continuing, he descended from the platform. There was a call for unionists to leave the building, and an exodus commenced. Then a 'Call for fair nlav filled tlm vacant seats. Professor Mills resumed his argument, and declared that if the unity proposals bed been accepted the present crisis in Auckland would never have arisen. Amid a chorus of dissent Mr. Fraser, president of the General Labourers’ Union. commenced speaking from the back of the building. Amid indescribable uproar Professor Mills, raising bis voice, said the secretary of the timber workers had informed him that the audience was evidently opposed to hearing him further, so be would cease. This was the signal for a wild demonstration. The meeting ended with cheers for the. Federation and hooting for Professor Mills. ,