HOSTILE AUDIENCE.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 110, 15 June 1914, Page 10

HOSTILE AUDIENCE.

LIBERAL IN REFORM 5 STRONGHOLD.

MR RUSSELL AT LAWRENCE. AN AMENDMENT CARRIED. The Wellington "Post" contains a special report of a meeting at Lawrence, which was addressed by Mr G. W. Russell, M.P. for Avon. It is a r&> markable report, in that it is of aa entirely different character to those which have been describing the triumphs of the "Plying.Squadron" ia various parts of the country. Lawrence is described as one of the Hon. J. Allen's strongholds.

Despite the coldness of the night hia meeting drew a large attendance, but it was made pretty plain that a big percentage of those present were not in sympathy with Mr Russell's platform.

"If the Hon. Jas. Allen lives till ha is the age of Methuselah/' he remarked, "his kuowledge of finance will be that of a babe as compared to Sir Joseph Ward."

This statement was boo-hooed with great gusto, and repeatedly when reference was made to the Hon. Mr Massey cheer followed cheer on the latter's behalf. Several times the meeting got out of hand, and the Mayor, who. presided, had to aslc for something akin to fair play to the stranger who was, he said, ,to be admired for . his pluck in . speaking with, So much boldness. •Mr Russell repeated that Mr Massey was the owner of 1000 acres of freehold land worth £4O an acre, and .by the promotion of a railway it would bo sent up another £2O ah acre in value. This provoked a question: "What about your own -60,000 acres of freeholdt" "

J "It's not 60,000 acres, it's 64,000 acres," promptly answered Mr Russell, "and if-that young fellow who put the question is desirous .of settling on it he can, by meeting me iri.the morning, ar- 1 range for 100, 200,500, or 1000 acres. I have, " he continued, '' a family 'of eight sons and six daughters, and if any one of my sons had less gumption than the questioner I would seize him by the neck and rub his head in the gutter." Peal after peal of laughter greeted- ■ these remarks,. which were gfiven utterance to with a great deal ofwarmth: " Towards the close ,of his address Mr Russell made .reference to some vile - slanders which vwere . being circulated • against the' Liberal Party. One of those responsible , was "the -country •' bumpkin inamed Nosworthy," who waa supposed to represent Ashburton in the House and who would 'have to answer ■' for his slanders as soon a,s Parliament assembled. The speaker in this connec- -' tion also had a tilt at Mr Massey, who, ■ he said, had grossly, slandisred the Lib- ■ ei al a speech which he* recently - delivered at Napier. Ringing cheers were given for Mr Massey, and .some time elapsed before . Mr Russell was allowed to resume. hi« address. At the close the chairman, announced that Mr Russell did hot intend to answer any . questions, as he was not seeking the suffrages of the Bruce* electors, and this Mr Russell, emphasised by saying that it was not customary for a visiting. politician to answer questions; and, what was more, he did not intend to do so, 1 A motion of thanks to ttie speaker for his address and of confidence in the Liberal Party led by Sir Joseph Ward was met by an amendment of thanks merely. Mr Russell took exception to the terms of the amendment, but the chairman ruled that <it was in order,and on a show of hands being taken he declared the amendment, amid a good deal of uproar, carried. Mr RusseH then called for three cheers for Sir Joseph Ward, and this was followedhy a like compliment at the instance of a supporter for Mr Massey..