A PROTEST AGAINST HOODLUMISM

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2328, 9 December 1914, Page 4

A PROTEST AGAINST HOODLUMISM

BY THE PREMIER

MOST ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING. (By Meerftph.—Preas Association.) Auckland, December 8. The Prim© Minister addressed 'the electors and others at the Alhambra Theatre to-night. The hall was crowded to the doors, many hundreds being unable to gain admission. Tha meeting was no doubt the most enthusiastic of the campaign, in spite of the fact that H-ed Feds, and Oppositionists were present, though iu loss numbers than previously. The' rowdy section was for the inost part outside the hall. The Premier delivered a very powerful fighting speech, being frequently cheered to the echo. "I want to protest," he said, "against the hpodlumism that has disgraced the fair oity of Auckland in the hist few weeks. (Ijoud cheers.) To-day I received a pile of telegrams from all parts of tho Dominion expressing disgust at last night's proceedings, and sympathy with Mr. and Miss Bradney. (Cheers.) Those occurrences are likely to do far more injury than benefit to those politically opposed to us. I havo contested a good many elections, but I want to say in regard to this campaign that it has been the dirtiest election I havo ever experienced. The weapons of our opponents seem to be slander, calumny, and misrepresentation rather than'anything in ! connection with the politics of this country." (Cheers.) Mr. Massey referred to the inaccurate Press Assoelation telegram regarding Mr. Herdman's meeting at Wellington. Having read the message referred to, ho said he had not.believed it, well knowing that Mr. Herdman always had a, good hearing in Wellington. In reply to a telegram from the speaker, Mr. Buddie, chairman of the meeting in Wellington, telegraphed that the statewere absolutely incorrect, a largo majority being .with Mr, Herdman, and he had declared the motion of confidence carried by a big majority. (Loud cheers.).

At the conclusion of the address a vote of thanks and confidence was parried, with only three . dissentients put of over one thousand, amidst enthusiasm. There was some hooting from the "Red Feds." when Mr. Mas«ey left the ha 11,.",.