FEILDING ASSAULT CASE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 135, 25 February 1918, Page 9

FEILDING ASSAULT CASE

CITIZENS PROTEST MEETING. One of tho largest meetings hold in Feilding for many years took place on Thursday evening, the Drill Hall being crowded, many people standing. Mr. G. J. Harford presided, and on tho platform were all the Protestant clergymen of Feilding, and other local residents, and. visitors from Wellington. Those taking part in the meeting wero Archdeacon Imiis Jones, tho Revs. T. Miller, G. F. Stoclnvell, J. W. Parker, G. Knowlcs Smith; Adjutant Wain, the Hon. W. Earnshaw, and Mr. F. S. Guy. Tho Revs. Miller aiid Stockwell (who bore unmistakable evidence of tho recent assault) received an ovation, their addresses, as also those of Messrs. Earnshavv and Knowlcs Smith being received with rounds of applause. Tim following resolution was carried amidst a. sceno of great enthusiasm: "We, the citizens of Feilding, in public meeting assembled, desiro hereby to entirely and emphatically disassociate ourselves from the rcccnt outrage committed upon two respected clergymen and honoured fellow-citizens. W© very sincerely express our deep sympathy with those gentlemen in their consequent! sufferings. Wo further desiro to congratulate the Hon. the Minister of Justice on his expressed dotermination to put down all such attempts; at mob riile, and to coiisorve tho citizens' inalienable right to freedom of speech, whether on the public platform or in the Press." Tho meeting, which was orderly throughout, closed by the singing of the National Anthem.