SPEECH AT DUNEDIN.

Press, Volume L, Issue 149814, 30 May 1914, Page 12

SPEECH AT DUNEDIN.

A MAGNIFICENT RECEPTION

(srzci-U, to "the press.") ■ DL'NEDIN, May 29

Not for many years in Dunedin has there been the same demonstration of cordiality towards a leading statesman as that offered to the Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey, Prime Minister. The reception accorded to him was really remarkable. Numerically it was Fomething of a record audienco, hundreds of citizens being turned away from tho Garrison Hall long before tho meeting started. The assemblage of citizens was completely representative of tho political strength and thought of Dunedin. It were foolish to pretend that all tho people present were politically on the side of the Prime Minister. There was present a large representation of those folk who prefer the Liberal side of tho political wall (even though it is not the sunny side, these days), and there also attended a. small percentago oi men wholly '"agin the Government." But these together -were obviously numerically overwhelmed by citizens who delighted to honour the head of the Government.

When the Prime Minister, accompanied by his local lieutenant, the iion. James Allen, appeared, thero was an inspiriting outburst of cheering, and then the aeeper boom of boohing from the rear of the hall. It was raorely tar-away thunder, for the majority of the great crowd increased their cheering, which was renewed when an elderly iady presented to the Prime Minister a bouquet of chrysanthemums and a buttonhole.

As regards the rt. honourable gentleman's speech, it was lively, although not notably rich in new matter. Occasionally there was an individual interjection which reached the stage as distorted language—a fact that enabled the Prime Minister to 6coro heavily against the interjectors. One man, a well-known Labour enthusiast in Dunedin, interjected" continuously for a time, and referred sneeringly to soup kitchens. Then Mr Massey smote the man into a welcome silence. He told, him that he looked as if he had been familiar with soup kitchens. The audienco roared with delight.

Then a man cried, "What about the next election?" Ho was answered on the instant, the Prime Minister replying that next election would give the Government a majority of twenty members. (Tremendous applause.) The ready manner in which Mr Massey dealt with interjections rather raised a crop of them, and all went down under (so to speak) a keen verbal scythe. At a later stage, when Mr Massey was discussing and supporting the Government's attitude towards the strike and its successful efforts in maintaining law and order, there was a lively period of interruption, with a pronounced not© of hostility. Mr Massey took it all wittily, and made belling hits. Once he was asked as "to "Jtiow Holland fared?'' and replied, "Mr Holland is quite safe and happy,' and very comfortable."

: A voice cried: "loii ought to be ashamed of yourself.'' Mr Massey retorted: "Mr Holland broko the law of this country, and he ii suffering the penalty." (Loud applause.) ■ " '

.A little later ft man who had been associated with soup kitchens stood up and shouted that he objected.,to interjections. The Prime Minister instantly shouted, "There is joy over every sinner that repenteth." _But it is quite impossible to. transmit by telegraph ail the good things that mado tne meeting notable. Sufficient to say that the spirit of the meeting was happy, and satisfied the great audience. It would seem to the impartial observer that the sun of Reform is still at the meridian.