THE POLITICAL CAMPAIGN.

Colonist, Volume LVI, Issue 13419, 17 March 1914, Page 5

THE POLITICAL CAMPAIGN.

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Jan:- :iJN^toiiySsc6%jU^|^ ..«- sPhe^Th^iitre Royal was i&cKed -tss& dews '^liMst^ evening;- vßy■■'-: a:--Big|f ;.audteiioe'J:/- -to/^ffear 'an :-\:: address" .by^ihe Prime MtSster (the Ri "ffiffi| :tionsL; of-tli©. dayi"The $ayor (M3^%~: LjooB:) -presided, arid sealed «pbn w|;te' platform; were Mts ;MaS^eyi Miss ~3laJs-;' seyj: members of-the local bratfch os±nlf I^lonnJiLeague^i^ErH/ Atmoi'e, M^>,' arid |Mr John Graham, ex-M.P.' ■THe'J Prime,, .Mini^ter?^J?£eived a cordial r<£* n * :*?-a%"'^4l:-tho. meinberfrfor" ;Nejh^n,;:;Mw,>asgfloudly; cheered, •; .si lii introducing ■ Mr; 'Massey,: "Ba'id^i^lv^a^eifecee^ingly gr/atilylrigto ■fche &*}&* Minister- b&' see>stfc|p>.2 large audience." i3the iact of, his |th© pres#nb© had no particular significance, Jas he was there in.Th.is ' official capacity..,, There were two sides? to JBvery question, ;arid that 'night the Prime 'Minister would pu.t, the-side of the Sre-|kejn. .He asked forj'tf fair" f |iiS impjsial heai-ingp and he"was sure §ne~speaker would getone. There wouKT l*e no questions, at<! the conclusion Tof the"nieeiTng. v The Prime Minister, jfho was receiy■«Jd-, \vith> loud applause^ expressed .Jus.j peasurejltmeeiang such ing; of,'tTelson " 'Itiwas riot the firs* tim e ~ frfi Jiad stood 'before a^Cel&jri audience,: and he was Buro" rhe" wo*u<|" receive la patient and attentive heaiiflg'.j The subject .he had to speak about "re?, quired yery,little introduction.,Ho going to, tell'them something of wb^i^ the Government, had done in the p^st^'j arid toa certain extent what they--1 in- j tendfedtb.do ia the future. -One of the first difficulties they had to deal with when 'they, went into office was the financial position-Q,f,>the J)oi»inion. Tliey had then commitments to local bodies amoui-ting iq £770,000 to meet and £17,000 to meet,them with.. The posk tion was so luisatisfactory that they' de^ cided to send;the ilinister of Finance", to London. In the early part of 1912 it had been intended to float -a loan,; but the then Government had not done, so because they had not been returned by a majority at the polls. The other Government went to London and raised a lo,an of 4| millions, but they made the mistake of raising the loan on shortdated, debentures; which-had to be-paid back by 'May-of 1914. This year-bV tween Ist of January and 'Decetaber 31st the present Government had to find £8,000,000 to pay off short-dated loans, in addition to four or five millions for ordinary purposes. It \vas bad finance on the part of previous Governments, and any settler could manage his business better than that. The- price- of the 4|-million l loan floated by tW Government in';office for, ..ton months was so good that it. was^ll taken up by speculators at £5 2s 9d per cent. The present Government declined to renew it. (A voice < I should think so.) Last year the Massey Government placed a two-million loan, and got it-.oft on-fairly satisfactory ternis.At the same time they instructed their" agents in London to watch the money market, and. wait a favourable opportunity. Prior to 1912, explained the Prime Minister, money had been fairly cheap, but it had become deafer be-; cause of. the■ Balkan war, and because certain civilised and uncivilised countries required money i'or development purposes. That was the position. However, their opportunity came; there was a slackening off, money went down, and Consols .went up, and they put their loan on the market at 10 o'clock one morning. And, said Mr Massey, one of the most extraordinary things that have-ever happened in the history of any country occurred —they were offered five times the amount asked for. (Applause.) There was no waiting. It was, said Mr Massey, the policy of the country to lend money to local bodies —and he believed in it —but if the Government had attempted,to supply all the large local bodies with what they wanted, their finances would Have been ruined. Before the last election local bodies could get the money they wanted, but. uhen the present Government got on the-Treasury benches they found the limit for local bodies was £6000, and settiers were limited to' £500. They, soon 'increased the- limits to settlers to £.600, then to £750, arid when the last loan came along they put it up to £1000," <iikl shortly the limit would be put up to £1200. (Applause.) The maximum for local bodies within counties and road districts had been raised from £2000 to £5000. Mr Massey said that daring 19J1 one local body borrowed £16,000 at 3£. per cent., out of which it paid interest and sinking fund, and the country was paying the same rate, and perhaps a little more. The local Harbour Board wanted to raise a loan under the State guarantee, "but. there was a. ilaw in tlie Act. which prevented loans to harbour boards being guaranteed, but they would put that flaw right. (Applause.) If tlipy were not able to lend the monoy th& Government would have to give a guarantee which would enable the local body to go on to the London market and get their money at the lowest possible price. (Applause,) Their financial, critics—spare the mark —said they were not lending local bodies .and settlers enough money; others, of course, eaid they wore lending too much. The present Government had lent to settlers, workers, and local bodies £2,472,715. which included £1,----555.625 to- settlors, £498,075 to workers, and £619,020 to local bodies. Other Dominions of the Empire had been to London for money since the last New Year loan was floated. South Australia went into the market with a fourmillion loan, which was only offered to the extent of -47 per cent. South Africa in February, 1911, went with a four-million loan at 4 per cent, and 80 per cent, was loft on the hands of the underwriters. . Canada offered a five-million loan at 4' per cent., and 78 per cent, was left in the hands of the ttnderwriters. They, therefore, had every reason to be proud of the grand littlo country in which they lived. (Applause.) Instead of going about the country carping, .twisting and wriggling, it was the proper thing to look at it from a proper point of view. There were no better judges of the financial position of a country than -tho people in London who ltmt the money, and the result of the loan showed that they had absolute faith in New Zealand, and the Government of the day. (Applause.) Prior to the present Government coming into office—"You were all in opposition then," said Mr Massey, • amidst lauohter. "I was told so, and I believe it,' s he added—it was said that if ever the Massey Government got into office the country would go to the dogs. _ (A voice: So it has.) "The man is no patriot who said that," retorted the Prime Minister, "and he ought to get out of it. We don't wflrit a man oi that sort. (Applause.) The men who have anything in it say it is the best in the world.'-' (Applause.) It was predicted that there would be bad times, and that there would be low wages and air sorts of things. Ihe country, said the Prime Minister, was never more* prosperous than at preseru. Tile best indication of the .-prosperity of a country was the Post OfiSce savings bank. If the deposits exceeded the withdrawals it was good, if the withdrawals exceeded the deposit!, it was bad. •H© had received information from the, Post Office that the deposits for the months of January and February exceeded the withdrawals by £193,438. (Applause.) >Vas that not a good thing? (A voice: A pretty good proof.) The deposits for February of this year were 'better than February .of last: year

by £117,475/ (Applause.) (A voicol '/Still our money is only worth 3 petf cent.'*) "What's that?" said tholfcp'eaker. • \A. - voice: "3| peif*ent. };) MrMassey: "That's better. 1' XA voice: "The* Jew ionds afc 4'per cent* <&a& hfc getß->it r ") "Yos, M said the* 'Prime uH^uster^ "the Jew londs his BjjMiey-icuMO years, and when. you "go tofthe Po*b. Office you get it hande<f • ovwiUie to \ou the moment you ,w)mt*itV'' (Applause.) The Goyepnfteicrtr/ he-continued, had put upi tfie rate of interest 4 on sums under 3£ t0 3£ per cent. It oos» the .Government ~.-£<H>,ooo, but it was ■dtttßgvtW right tjiiwg. ."The Government was sometimes charged with failing to keep its pledgee. (Before going to the country m 1911' they, were asked to put forward their policy, and righily, too—and ho putiorward 'the policy before tho largest/ meeting ever held in the Wellington Town Hall—(A-\oice: "You would net get-it now. \ 'fcand one pf the. proposals was in regard to the land question . They told the electors that if they wer& given a majority they would change"tho land, policy from leasehold to .freehold, and they hadftone it. -(Loud applause.) gome Mid 1 thp freehold was aU senti!ment, 'But ask the man on the;'land if he - wanted to. ; purchase whether ho *■ ' w<ould'.'. sooner' have. .leasehold \- or freehold.' -As tljo result of the Governinent'isi, land legislation between1 19,000 ■an^^ppO settlers now had thY option of:^v'ertiiig 4 fcKeu- leaseholds into freeholds if;tliejiißO desired it, arid"become their ow# -* * He believed la limited, freehold, riot unlimited freehold. y^^ic^#'ftl&t about ; Hawke'a ifeyP");'"■'tfTTtS&'you about^hat lat"e^'^r^tqr^d ihe Prime Minister. The» ; there was the difficulty, Mimi •To^ds-in tho backblocks. The 15ovefnment -had provided in the Act of last $ear that when a settler oiassociation of settlers went on to the land in the hackblocks the money they rent or interest went 1& pay for the roads made to their holdings. " (Applause.) Neither did ther settlers have to pay for theJand at onee--iticould be paid for in twenty annual payments. Nothing could be more liberal than that. (Applause.) It interested and amused him to see the change that had taken place-in favour, of-the freehold, and how those who opposed, them on other questions were compelled: to follow him into the lobby. They had faces on them like men going . to the gallows. (Laughter.) ..Mr Massey then referred to-the settlement ot gSOjOQP acres in tho Thames district. 10 was, he ■'said, formerly held under a mining occupation lease, and could not be used'for any other purpose. , However,1 a clause had been drafted to meet the and the result;.was that tho laikTwas now, or would be shortly, in the occupation of the settler. When cleared it would run about a sheep tq ttte acre, equal to a quarter-of a million sheep, and the exports of the country would increase accordingly. Aa long as settlers wanted land th e Government was going to find it for them.^ TJwsy wanted the land that was producingl nothing to produce something, ana that.which was producing something to? [prodiice more. TEey-would see the reunite in the export returns as time* went~on. Tins month they were opening 138,725 acres of land. (Applause.) (A voice: "What about the Maitai?' ) They were negotiating at that moment) for the Maitai. (Applause.) During the present financial year they had" placed 2200 settlers on the land, ana had purchased 149,000 acres of land worth £559,606, because the Crownlands were running out. For some years thero had been provision for workers' homes in the cities and towns.i He had extended that system to tho ' country districts. Ho called the- local bodies'to his assistance, enabling them to purchase land and erect workershomes. He got tho opportunity of pur-, phasing some land in South Canterbury) for an experiment. He cut it up m< fvve-^acre blocks, and let it be known that he would erect houses at a cost o* between £500 and £600, and the occupier could pay off tho purchase prico and interest on land, and house, at tho rate of 15s a week for 25 .years. It was an attempt.to cator for the men who went out for a opnsidarable parii of the year as harvesters and shearejrs. The scheme would work out all right,, and ho'was repeating the experiment in the North Island, and he hoped to exteutl it- He was out to give the mam on the bottom rung of tho ladder al chancy to climb. So far as the defenco question was concerned tho principle was laid d"wn by Statute- and the bulk of the people were satisfied with it. He lad no sympathy with the folded hands j ohoy. They must be ready to help themselves. They had their daty to the Empire and themselves, and vhey were v.ropuro.i to do it. They id to k- op the" expenditure within rea*,riMv3 limits. He did not say the Defence Act was perfect, but they w< v.'d be able to amend it as experience dictated. Naval defence was at ; <*esimt co-t----ing £100,000 per annum in rv-;»suly ard nearly £150,000 interest on the LattJe-cruise-r New Zealand, -r a total <C nearly £250,000 per nnnun> ihQ agreement of 1909 Detw-on Now /oa> land and tho Admiralty had ;not r.een complied witli. He was not 10/icctmg in this upqn the Imperial Government, which had its hands full. Last year, tho Minister of" Defence got no satisfaction about the 1909 agreement, and so anxious was the Government atout the two Bristol cruisers for tfew Zealand waters that it offered to find aia extra £50,000 per annum if they cordcl be #.ent. They were, however, required elsewhere. Thcv felt tHat that posi^ tion could not be allowed to last. They wanted to do something in the -vay of training their young men for the sea* faring life, for New Zealand was destined to become .a great msrtime country. They, therefore, arranged for; a training ship, and the Imperial Government had given them the Fhilomel. Tho cost would be £50,000 a year end would come out of tha annual subsidy. They had two ship 3 i'ow in New Zealand waters, the Pyra-aus antl Psyche, which were out of date, and| should have been scrapped loug ago. They were going to ask Parliament to authorise the building of a iighs Bristol cruiser, the cost of which per annum at Home was £72,000. It would bo move here, as the rates of pay would be higher, but it would not cost t .ora than £90,000 per annum, arid they rad, the £50,000 of subsidy towards it. Six} Joseph Ward had proposed that New, Zealand should pay 10s per head pcii annum, or £550,000, to the Imperial authorities for naval defence ■ Iho? were making a beginning •v^.h naval defence which he thought w.as nicie important than land defence, hu: they, must maintain both in an efficient state. There was a provision m the Naval Defence Act that in the event of war any New Zealand shit) or ships should pass under the control of the Imperial authorities. He granted .the. ships to remain Imperial for all time, always provided that our trade routes were defended. With the, ships v;odd o-row a sense of proprietor-uup ai:d ,- patriotism. He agreed that the battle which would decide the fate .-f the Empire would be fought in European seas ■■" and not in the Pacific, but the /'ay would come, perhaps not m their time, v/lum tho Pacific v.-ould bn thp <»tonn centre. He hoped they would all, Australia, Canada. ai-:l Ne%v Zealaud. ue prepared for it. They would not. now- ■ over, unless they made a start in time of peace. He .regretted that an attempt had been made to make H'Vty capital out of the defence question/ which should be above party. ,Miv Jkfassey read the opinions of . l'ntbh

naval experts favouring INVw ZealanTs change of policy. « Dealing with the recout strike, Mr. said ** cost." this country £100,(500, and ifc was money, well spent. iThey had to deal with the most serious difficulty the., country had ever seen.: The-, strilvp-.of 1890 was nothing . to tbat"oM?l3. - They ; wore peaceable pe£siile;-and'tlie strike _. would, never have oqcurred had it not;jbeen for foreign agitators coming into the country. They lad not a sufficient police forccv to cope with the difficulty. He tried to settle the. strike and prevent it from spreading, and he was told by the. strikers' representatives that if . their terms were not agreed to the streets of Wellington would run with blood in a few days, and the leronrtionary red flag would float over Parliament Buildings. Therefore, they did the only thing under >the, circumstances they could cTo. They appealed for "specials," and they had a magnificent response. (Applause.) They came to help Wellington and Auckland- in their hundreds, and the number could have been multiplied by five. (A voice: '* "Fee eighteen bob a day.") Not one of them got eighteen bob a day, and many of them refused to take anything-at all. There was no more talk of the streets of Wellington running with Wood. (Applause.) He wished to express his high appreciation, as head of the Government, of the men who came to help them, leaving their harvests and crops. If he could say that of the men he could say more of the women who were left on lonely farms. (Applause.) The stand taken by the settlers was a revelation. What help did they get fjpm the Opposition? Compare the attitude of their own Opposition with that of the South African Opposition recently. He was glad to acknowledge the attitude of many members of the Opposition; who expressed their sympathy with the Government, but a section of the Opposition did their best to hinder the government. Sir Joseph Ward (loud cheers and counter cheers.) was misled by a few of "his followers. His heart was not in his attitude; he knew the man too well not to recognise that. He was made a tool of by a few mombers. The strike was not a strike for higher wages. It Avas intended to t&ke place oft February Ist, but it caJne off earlier than they expected. The shipwrights' strike could have been settled in five minutes. Every set of men had a right to organise, but no set of men had the right to stop the wheels of industry. He hoped it would never be necessary to resort to deportation in New Zealand, but the country could get on well without some scores of professional agitators. The strike had killed the old Liberal Party. (Loud dissent.) The parties of the future would be the Reform .Liberals and the Red Fed. Liberals, and they would have to choose which they would support. The Hon. J. A. Millar said the Government had done the right thing in connection with" the strike, and he was prepared to support them to the end'of the chapter. "-' Coming to public works, the speaker said that despite the fact that money was scarce last year more had been spent on railways than in any previous years. (Cries 'of "Xo.") "Yes; I hare the figures here, and can prove it," As far as railways were concerned they would keep the present policy foing, and perhaps do a little more, hey proposed also to allow settlers or local bodies to construct lines on the light principle, but with a standard gauge. This was to he set about soon, especially in Taranaki. If the country was to progress it must get more • roads, bridges and railways than it liad at present. In his travels recently he had been able to see that the country was a hive of industry, and was going ahead in a wjy? which could not be afcopped. If the Government had not as yet kept all its pledges, it was not its fault; but it had built up a policy which would be for the good of the Dominion in years to come. The Government had reduced the age for women's old age pensions to 60, yet it had been said that, lie would repea! the Old Age Pensions Act. Another pledge fulfilled was the pensions to the old soldiers. Still another pledge was that to give Parliament a chance to carry out reform of'the Legislative Council, but that body had laid aside two Bills on this matter. If the .mem- . bers of the Council had been carefully . selected, not on party lines, or as a result of reward for services, the trouble would not have cropped up. If he could not reform the Upper House, he would be willing to knock it out. For twenty-one years all the appointments had been made to the Council by the 'Liberal Party. The Keforraers • had been accused of appointing rejects, but such was not the case-, and he instancef), amongst others, the long services of Sir William Russell, Mr. John Duthie, Sir William Hall-Jones, and Messrs. Barr and Paul. The Governjnent had appointed just about as many men to the Council .who were the opponents "as were its supporters. If the PigH*ment ran its full term next session li« ]>roinised that reform of the Council would be brought into effect. Concerning the Second Ballot Act, Mr. Massey' said that the second ballot was introduced for party purposes. ("Did you not promise to put something in its .place?" queried a YOiee.) "No; I certainly did not. The statement is untrue." Mr. Massey proceeded to say that what he promised was to give the House an opportunity of saying if it wanted^ anything else. When he got- something better he would put it on the Statute Book, but the second ballot would never be put back. The speaker next referred to the Public Service, saying that as a result of the Government's legislation there 'was now no "influence" in the scrvico. In response to » question: "How iftout Royd Gartck?" Mr. Massey replied that tlieintorjector should have .slopped.to think before making himself foolish, because everybody knew thnt I'oyrl Garlick was ar-pointed before tbo Public Service Act was nassed. IL had liven said that many dismissals would take place under the Commissioner*, but this liad

not boon so. Some had been superannuated on reaching tin- i>is,e limit, arid thin gave room for the younger men to rise. One of"the bi^t men in the world had been appointed as railway manager. He did nol claim that the idea, was the Government's, because the. Liberals proposed .tho same thing just before they went out of office. The. Liberals themselves thought that tho services of an outsider should be secured. "Why not import a Premier?" was called from ;< rowdy knot of men at the back. "Because it's not

necessary. There's nobody that can do it better than the man that's there," replied the Premier amidst laughter. Referring to the "7s ,6d boys/ Mr. Massey said it was quite true that the High Commissioner was asked to/send out 50 fooys at 7s 6d a week, with clothing found. There was a rush of applicants, so two" batches of 50 were sent. The last Government brought out 50 boys, and they got 5s a week. Tn time to come these boys '•would make a fine class of settler. The country was Very heavily indebted, and. if justice was to be done to it tbo population must 'be increased, and more people settled on the land. The 'excess of arrivals over departures last year was 14,000, and of these 9,000 came out without reference to the Government1 at all. The only way to fill the places of the wage earners who were working up to be employers, or were going on the land, was to bring Out suitable immigrants. In" conclusion Mi*. Massey faid the country had a Govern nent which was ready to meet any emergency, and was going straight ahead, on sound lines for the Dominion's development. If the opportunity offered, the Govern iient would reduce the cost of living by giving attention to the tariff. The method of making Parliamentary grants would be dealt with next session.

Referring to. a speech made lecently and published in a local paper, ar-d which he quoted from, Mr v Massey said the statement that he had recently opened six railways was untrue. He had never opened ofce railway, but had recently turned the first sod of one line which had been surveyed 30 years ago. Referring to the rena'rk on the" statesmanship of Sir Joseph Ward, Mr. Massey said he was g^d to be able to say that Sir Joseph Ward was "a very decent fellow." Touching #n this question, he said that at a iecent meeting a member for a district had been eulogising Sir Joseph Ward, and one man had been interjecting at the back, when the member asked what he knew about the matter. "Oh, nothing except what you told us before List election," was the reply. The gem of the whole thing was -the asserti«n that Mr. Massey was the head cf a family who had been left £165,000. This, no doubt, referred to his father, who passed away two years ago, and left £2000. He made'no secret of the member who made these statements: it was the member for Nelson.

Mr Atmore: It is not true. (Cheers.) Mr Massey said that he had quoted the paper correctly, and no correction had been made in it.

Mr Massey then resumed his seat amidst applause and cheers. "For he's a jolly good follow" was tung, to the accompaniment of a small volume of hooting. It had been noticeable that as the meeting wore on a section of the audience had been becoming more and more demonstrative, and questions were showered' upon the Premier- promiscuously during his remarks. .These bo took good-humouredly. Mr Massey at times rebuked his interrupters, but when be resumed his seat the gathering could.be described as fairly orderly. In the subsequent proceedings a condition of affairs reigned which showed lack of restraint to a dogfoe almost unprecedented in Nelson.

Mr F. W. Fairey, carrying a written motion in his hand, mounted the platform, and read; in an atmosphere of comparative calm the opening phrases of' the following motion, round which, the factions in attendance 'contested in verbal strife till th^'end, and which was never submitted to the meeting for its approval or otherwise. The text was: ''That this meeting of Nelson citizens expresses its hearty thanks to the Right Hon. W. F. Massey for his splendid address, and also expresses its utmost confidence in^-th© M-assey Administration.'" A storm of interjections arose, to be eounterblasted by applause, which drowned the concludino; words.

Mr Fairey faced a restless audience, and commenced to speak to his motion. Ho progressed for a space, -which he utilised in commending the Premier's speech for its straightforwardness. With that he had to be content.

Mr G. Bishop briefly seconded the motion.

Mr. A. Sheat next came on to the platform. As a farmer he congratulated the Premier on his utterances that evening, and on his action over the strike, and further, assured him of the support of the farming community at the coining general elections. Mr. Sheaf s tenure of the platform then ceased to be. effective from a speaking point of view:'-' The chairman intervened, ,and said that Mr. Sheat had every right to address the meeting in the way he did, a protest which enabled him to further congratulate the principal speaker of the evening. Mr. A. P. Allport ignored advice from the back of the hall, and for as long as he could, .supported the sentiments of Mr. Sheat.

After some disturbance, in which there were appeals for Mr. Atmore to speak, Mr. Lock inquired if there was any amendment, and Mr. Harry Atmore, M.P. for Nelson, advanced to the front of the platform. He announced it was his intention to move as an amendment that all the words of the motion after "Mr. Massey," be deleted (leaving it one of thanks only). Mr. Atmore observed a lengthy silence while a large section of those present indicated strong disapproval of the proposal now put before them. On the chairman securing a modicum of silence, Mr. Atmore proceeded. He said, on their own showing that night, the Reformers were not justified in securing a vote of confidence. (Uproar.) As soon as lie could be heard again Mr. Atmore denied, that he had said in a speech that Mr. Massey's father had left'the sum of money referred to earlier in the meeting. It was a misstatement by the "Hastings Tribune." (Cries of: "Oh! Oh!" and "Apologise.") "Yes, the misstatement of one of the squatters' papers," shouted the member for Nelson in the teeth of the vising clamour, "I said it w\as Mr. Horries's father who left the money." Tliis created a fresh outburst of noise, divided in its object. Mr. Atmoro remained standing at the front of the platform; and the meeting was obviously getting out of

hand. Mr. Lock, from the chair, uttered a, warning note that the continuance of the disturbance would certainly result in his leaving the chair, and closingthe meetjng. Mr. W. W. Snodgrass, a member of the Reform League, stepped forward, and On a point of order, objected to Mr. Atmore making a speech.

The v audience in its divided; self,-vied in denunciation and approval of Mr. Snodgrass's. view of .the proceedings, and when the chairman ruled that Mr. Atmore was -perfectly in. order,-one section refused Ho become " reconciled to his Tilling. Mr. Lock uttered another warning that ,if Ihe, disturbance continued he would leave the chair, and closo' the meeting. Mr. Massey rose from'the table with. ,a smils, and met with. a.mixed reception. Mr. Lock then rose, so at thts stage Messrs.- Atmore, Lock and Massey had the floor. - i Mr Atmore, in a period of semi-quiet i said he was quite in order. He had only done the .square thing, and had he not been attacked by the squatters' paper —-'but further observations did not carry against the current of dissention. Proceeding, subsequently, Mr. Atmore said no Government was entitled to a vote <5f confidence which had done nothing to reduce the cost of living, attack monopolies, or land monopoly in Hawke's Bay. Mr. A. T. Maginnity, president of the Reform League in Nelson, appeared on the platform, 'but was refused a hearing from the back, and. greeted with cheers, and "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" from the 'front. Mr. Maginnity spoke to Mr. Atmore, but the latter--waved-.him 'asidej-and stin remained on the front of the platform. After a great deal more uproar, the amendmont was... seconded by, somebody in the audience; : : ' , Mr. Atmore began to refer to the personnel on the platform, and was hooted. The chairman refused to ajlow that matter to-be'discussed. Mr Atmore asked if they were going to express confidence,: Cries of ' No. no " Mr. Atmore then took the full count from, the opponents of his amendment: " ~,,,- . j The chairman said he could not declare any speaker out of order. Mr Atmore was again counted out, this being followed by cheers foi^him. He managed to sandwich m:— "Don't forget that the Premier voted against the old age pensions." The chairman said .that there appeared to be two strong parties present, and he would leave the chair if the audience was not prepared to accept the motion or the amendment. The chairman then carried his threat into execution, declared the meeting closed, and left the chair. The motion or amendment had not been put, and Mr Atmore still faced the audience. The meeting had terminated, but the crowd hung about, many of them shaking the Premier by the hand. When he" was preparing to leave somebody indicated a side door, but Mr. Massey laughed heartily; and said that was not the way for him. He left by the front door, and received many congratulations on his way to the front exit. Vfter the crowd had left the building Mr. Atmore addressed a portion that remained in the" roadway. . . THE PREMIERES STATEMENT, 'interviewed subsequently, Mr. Massev made the following statement to a'' 'Colonist reporter :—"1 intended to make another speech by way of reply to Mr. Atmore. Ido not blame the Mayor for leaving the chair, but 1 say this: what has taken place is the most miserable exhibition I have experienced in my 20 years of Parliamentary life, and I am. speaking now ot the interference with the meeting of the member for the district, Mr. Atmore." '