STORMY PROCEEDINGS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 104, 27 January 1919, Page 4

STORMY PROCEEDINGS

. (AT A LICENSING MEETING. By Teleitraph—Press Association. \ iWanganui, January' 26. Th& Iheatre was packed last night when Mr. W. D. Bayley was advertised to reply to the Moderate League in the matter of the forthcoming licensing poll. As was anticipated, the proceedings were very etoriny owing to the behaviour of a email body in the back of the hall.'The trouble was caused-by Mr. Bayley'e remarks at Palmctvston North, where he was reported to 'have stated that a New Zealand eoldier had been shot in France for leaving the trench to get drink. The report of the disturbanoe, which appeared in a Palmersbon paper, was reprinted as an advertisement in the local evening paper, and was also circulated as a pamphlet,.in the street,-From the outset, boo-hooing and counting-out took place, even the Mayor at the outset being refused an opportunity to explain why lie had not presided at the Moderate League meeting a few nights previously. Mr. Bayley was unable to deliver his address owing to the noise, and eventually answered questions. Hβ refused to make public the name of the soldier referred to, but offered to give particulars to a committee consisting tf the iMayor und two representatives of the returned soldiers, the committee to decide whether further publicity should be given. ' This committee was appointed, and an announcement will be made in due course. Much indignation was.' expressed by a large body of the audience at the liquor supporters' obvious exploitation of an tinfortunate incident.