SIR J. G. WARD IN THE NORTH

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2323, 3 December 1914, Page 6

SIR J. G. WARD IN THE NORTH

' MEETING AT PUKEKOHE. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Pukekohe, December 2. Sir J. G. Ward addressed about 1100 ; doctors ia the Premier Hall, Pukekohe,' this evening, the Mayor, Mr. 0. K.' Lawrie, presiding. Tho building was! crowded long before the mooting began. Sir J. G. Ward arrived at 8.80 p.m., and cheors greeted Lie outranco; Immediately a strong section callod for cheers for Mr. Massey, which ivero Riven, but there was dissent from the : larger; section. When Sir J. G. Ward rose to speak thero was great cheering.. 'l'bree cheers for Mr. Massey followed, accompanied -by slight hooting, nua then came a stronger volume of cheering for Sir J. G. Ward. The people,, Sir J. G. Ward said, wero promised reform. (A voice: "We've got it 1")(Cheers and dissent.) , Sir Joseph Ward: When I heard that I wondered if llip Van Winkle had been, •resurrected.' After dealing with taxation and borrowing, Sir J. G. Ward asked what was the result of Mr. Massey's first term of office; ' Voices: "The freehold!" (Cheers and disorder.) At this stage tho chairman appealed for a fair hearing. • Sir J. G. Ward: I am not going into the freehold, except to; say this: it is' the tenure of the country, and it is not going to bo altered. 'The bulk of the people found'thomselves ever so much bettor off by, not converting. (Dissent I and cheers;) ■ • Mr. G. E. Stembridgo moved a voto iof thanks and confidence in tho party, 'undor Sir J.' G. Ward's leadership, and Mr. 0. A. Kidd seconded. Mr. Eames moved an amendment of 1 thanks, < but that, as no valid reason was advanced, tho meeting expresses continued confi- • denco in Sir, Massey's Administration. Tho chairman put tho amendment, and thero was a great demonstration of cheering, -with hats and handkerchiefs waving in the air. Tho chairman declared the amendment lost.' Another; similar demonstration followed the put-/ ting of the motion of confidence, which •' the chairman declared carried. There was an endless' stream of interjections throughout the . evening, but Sir J. G. Ward answered tho points, • and was always ablo to secure a bearing. ■