GIFT BATTLESHIPS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 476, 7 April 1909, Page 7

GIFT BATTLESHIPS.

LIVELY MEETING AT CHRISTCHTJRCH. Mr iKi.KuuAi'ii—l'iir.si ASStu:iAt'iuN.) Cliristchurch, April 6. A meeting held in His Majesty's Theatre to discuss tho Dreadnought oil'cr was very largely attended, and over two thousand.were unable to gain admission. Mr/J. A: fli'Cullough, member of the Arbitration Court, presided. l'Voni tho outset it was , evident that a considerable portion of the 'dudiencV opposed tho object of the meeting, and.all.tho speakers wero trequontly interrupted by'the singing of "Red, and Blue," "Rule Britannia," and other songs. Mr. T. E. laylor, M.P., received a mixed reception on rising to address 'tho audience, but it was apparent that his supporters were more numerous than ( his opponents. He moved:— ' ' ..' v ''. '"■ -'•, That whilst recognising' the necessity for tho efficient defence of. British possessions and commerce, and whilst approving of cordial co-operation to that eiid, this meeting protests tho impnlsivo and entirely, ; unconstitutional action of tho Cabinet in pledging the laxpayers to an expenditure of from -, ; £2,000,000 to £4,000)000-without first ob- . taining the authority of Parliament for such a course; and regrets the failuro of the newspaper press to safeguard -popular rights in this matter. This meeting declares that, in its opinion, Cabinet possessed no reliable its,', violation of tho constitutional rights of Parliament, and regards the Cabinet's ac--' tion as an inopportune and' unfortunate interference with British party politics in' that it has furnished tho, Conservativeparty in England with material which will doubtless bo used'to : the injury of the Liberal party in-"England, with tho result that urgently necessary social and economical legislation will be retarded. Further, it regrets that such a rash expenditure should ha'vPbocn undertaken by Cabinet whilst New Zealand's local defence forces are practically insufficient and neglected, and whilst..such .social legislation as that dealing with old ago.' .-■ pensions requires amendment,, and questions of closer settlement', aiiH employ'-,, niont of tho people.,are, callipg .for. M-.. ;, ' mediate attention. Mr. Taylor delivered a lengthy "speech lo in , support and concluded by stating!-that-he-did not fear his rcception-VJieii-he gave aii account of his stewardship to the electors of Cliristchurch North.*,;; ';•;;; - .'••;■ ;.' ;;-■; Mr. A. D. Hart, president of the Trades and Labour Council, seconded tho motion, vhich was supported "by' the . Rev. TV." A. Sinclair, Mr. A. It. Atkinson, and Mr. D. Sullivan. ; •■.<■• '■" •■. • Mr. Magnus Badger mounted tho . pintform and moved as auiameiidnipnt: , ." ~ . "That this meeting,.pledges .itself.:to, . delay expressing an,, .opinion: l , on tho Dreadnought' oil'cr until 'Parliament,has•■ considered tho question*-"- (Great cheerin =-) J ,' : "'"s^''"':'" '■■"' ■■■'■ There was no seconder "ami..after., a show of bands was given, the .chairman- declared the motion carried, pandemonium, .applanso, and hooting, greeting tho announcement. ■■ Mr. Sullivan, to the.;accompaniment, .of continuous interruption; moved''..""' '■ " That this meeting'; ;'to'.,'Mr.;" Taylor its warm appreciation of tho manly stand ho has taken in connection with the Government's 'panic' gift of one or two Droo-dnoughts';, congratulates.him upon his outspoken remarks, and his efforts to place tlie true situation before the New Zealand public aiid the Britisli ■ J'rimc Minister; trusts that his bravery' in the face of so much'hostile newspaper criticism may lead ; others of ; our lpgis- Hlators to so act as~to prevent.-the present, or any future Government so outrageously violating tho constitutional rights of our members of Parliament and our rights as electors. Mr. Atkinson seconded the motion, which was agreed to amidst, great .cheering.