THE EIGHTHS.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 November 1915, Page 4

THE EIGHTHS.

AT iOHBISTCHUROH. GREAT ENTHUSIASM SHOWN. Christchurch, Nov. 10. The brief Press Association message describing the visit of the Eighth Reinforcements to Christchurch gives a lamentably inadequate idea oi the great success and enthusiasm attending the visit, There must have been about thirty thousand people along the streets and in Cranmer Square. One result of the visit was that fifty men registered yesterday, an unusually large number. The visit oi the Hon. J. Alien luis had a wonderfully beneficial elfect on Christchurch opinion. For some time past there has been growing i\u a feeling strongly antagonistic to the Minister, concerning whom some of his stoutest party friends have been sharply critical. He eame into a thoroughly hostile a tmosphere, but the hostility has now been completely dissipated. Yesterday he addressed a meeting of employers, urging them to do their part by encouraging single employees to enlist, giving them the assurance that their jobs would be | kept for them. The meeting was strikingly enthusiastic, and the friendly ap-l preciation stimulated Mr. Allen to make a very good speech. At the end of the speech, .Mr. Alpers, a local lawyer, who has taken a very prominent pail in re-1 eruitmg, and who the other day made a very strong attack on Mr. Allen's policy in connection •with the local eamp demand, moved a vote of thanks, ami said lie hoped 'Mr. Allen would put some of his duties 011 to the shoulders of his colI leagues, so that he could talk to the j people of New Zealand mole frequently than he did. The earnest and convincing speech he had made that day should be repeated to a larger audience in New Zealand. Though they had all been in earnest on the local camp question,' they had received the Minister's dictum and would honestly and loyally submit to his effort*. This complete conversion of Mr. ilpcrs is significant of public opinion generally. The Christchurch Press this morning explains that Christchurch's sharply critical attitude was due to the fact that Christchurch people had not had visible evidence of the fine work the Minister was doing. "His chief business is to manufacture and furnish good soldiers for the Empire ill great numbers, and how splendidly that business is being done was brought home to us in a wry we shall none of us forget by the parade of troops 011 Sunday," says the Press. There is no doubt that Mr. Allen's visit has been a great succcsn, and has had a wholesome effect.