GENERAL SKETCH.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 75, 5 May 1914, Page 3

GENERAL SKETCH.

CROWD PATIENT IN THE RAIN. MORE ABOUT MISREPRESENTATION. In this his first speech before a Christchurch audience —and a large and patient audience at that, seeing that there was a persistent drizzle—the Leader of the Opposition opened with a justification for his appearance—"if any was needed,'' interpolated a mild voice in the crowd. To people waiting for a policy to compare with that of the present Administration, the opening remarks of Sir i Joseph Ward must have been disap-1 pointing. He had tried to act fairly,! he said, in the discussion of public ques-1 tions, and then the question of parties was referred to. Despite the change in name from Tory or Conservative to Reformers, the Government was still i the same old party in a thin disguise. A small bunch of spectators raised a cheer. The applause was not infectious —it was a dull, damp night. As a matter of stern fact, the crowd —it spread black: a hive of humans with the tail of the wedge ending in Colombo Street, and gathered congestedly under the verandahs —was not inclined to be over-demonstrative. When Sir Joseph got on to the gross misrepresentation to which he and his party had been subjected to there was another faint clieer, with the noise of feet in the rotunda. The Massey Government was not representative of the electors; it had got into office by the votes of men who were elected to oppose Massey government. "Rats," interjected a single voice. Then, of a sudden, Sir Joseph, whose voice carried remarkably well, and could be heard a block away, dived iuto questions of finance. It was due to the Liberals' efforts for 17 the present Government was able to raise the four and a-half million loan. A document published in London established that fact. There was a good round of applause at this. As the speaker quoted figures, figures, figures, the crowd, obviously not understanding, or perhaps it was,only disregardful, made no sign. There was no wild clamour when the story of the depleted Treasury was told, .to the accompaniment of a shrewd irony at the expense of the Minister of Finance and the Prime Minister. x The clouds still dropped a gentle shower, but the black regiments of I spectators waited on.