A ROWDY MEETING.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1301, 2 December 1911, Page 7

A ROWDY MEETING.

NO-LICENSE MEETING DISTURBED, NUMEROUS EJECTIONS. Th« scenes at tho Conoert Chamber, Town Hall, lost evening, when tlie Kev. A. T. Thompson and Mr. J. M'Gregor, of Masterton, took the platform to ■ refuto tho allegationa of tho liquor party 10gardiug Mastorton were at times indescribable. Prom tho outset it was evident that tho speakers were iu for a warm timo, for 110 Boouor hud tho chairman, Mr. A. H. Atkinson, risen to his foot to introduce tho speakers thun thero was an uproar—a medley of ironical cheers, boo-hoos, hoots, whistles, and cat-calls. When the 1101 so subsided Mr. Atkinson apiu attempted to speak and again met with the 6amo reception. The third time ho continued, and succeeded in making himself heard, and introduced Mr. J. M'Gregor, When Mr. M'Gregor stepped to tho front of tho platform, the noiße at tho rear of the hall was almost deafening. As Boon as ho.mado the slightest effort to begin, it was the signal for tho outcry to swoll. After being subjected to this kind of treatment for 'some time ho nt last managed to get a word in. When lie went on to refer to tho manner which Prohibition had affected Mastorton, ho Wits again interrupted. This brought tho chairman to his foot with an appeal to give tho speaker a, fair hearing. Tho appeal had tho effect of inciting tho rowdy ones to further efforts. "Will tho. polioo remove those making that noise ?" shouted the chairman. "I urn afraid tho police didn't hcf.r mc. I ask the police to remove anybody who disturbs tio mooting." Suddenly a chorus of hoots and Rrowbi rent, tho air, and those in front saw two policemen escort two young men to the door. I3y Ihiß timo there were no fewer than five polioomen stationed at different points of vantage around tho hall. When tho disturbance had subsided somewhat, Mr. M'Gregor made another attempt lo proceed. Ho was proceeding to oomparo the police records of Master ton under Ni>Liconso and under liicente, when tho noise from the rear of the hall drewned his remarks. "Will the police kindly tnrn out those men?" shouted the chairman, Seeing that tho rear of the hall was to crowded, and tho TKiiso was emanating from all quirtcrs, this was easier said than done. Mr. M'Gregor, when he had an opportunity of proceeding, said: "When a man is afraid to lace his opponent, and can only howl, I consider bo has a very bad cast)." A little later, however, the disturbance again compelled him to stop. The chairman again invoked police intervention, and was greeted with derisivo cheers. Someone now commonced the chorus of tho popular oomic song "Yip? i-addy-i-ay," The-chairman was tho-' roughly aroused, and, leaving tho 110 went amongst tho audlonco and pointed a man out to tho police. Tho man was ejected. During the remainder of Mr. Jl'tiregor's remarks tho crowd wero thoroughly out of hand, and no fewer than fourteen persons wero ejected. The Kev. A, T, Thompson was tho next speaker, and was accorded hut a 11 til ft better reception. 110 managed to deliver' his lecture, however. At the ' conclusion Mrs. Atkinson moved; "That this meeting pledges itself to support No-License and Dominion prohibition." An amendment that prohibition is a failure was also moved, and on 1 it being put tl>e majority of those present held up their hands in support. ! The chairman said some were holding up , both hands, and again put the amend- ! ment, with the same result. Finally lift , asked thoso who favoured it to stand. Aj nobody roso 110 declared tho amendment ; los and ho motion carried.