THE PRIME MINISTER

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 65, 10 December 1919, Page 8

THE PRIME MINISTER

ENTHUSIASTIC WELCOME

AT AUCKLAND

ROWDY ELEMENT QUELLED

THE COAL MINES PROBLEM

'By Telegraph-Special Correspondent,

Auckland, December 9. Mr. Massey has good reason to be satisfied, with the enthusiastic welcome ho received at the two meetings which lie 5 addressed in Auckland hist night, in each case the hall was crowded to tlio doors. There was a hostile element in evidence, ,as was to be expected, but the great mass of the Prime Minister's hearers, were undoubtedly sympathetic, and gave strong expresion to their feelings. There was a grent outburst of cheering and applause wlien Mr. Massey and Air.' Cluthn Mackenzie walked on to the platform of the Broadway Theatre at Newmarket, and the applause completely overwhelmed the discordant note. '

Mr. Massey got a good hearing, there being a considerable amount of interjection, but 110 real obstruction. He was in excellent form, and scored effectively against his hecklers.

In concluding his speech, Mr. Massey appealed to the electors present to east their voles for the Government candidate, Mr. Clutha Mackenzie, an appeal ■which was received with loud applause, and the singing of "He's a Jolly Good Fellow."

The arrival of the Prime Minister's car at Parnell was the signal for a display of enthusiasm by the wuiting crowd, and Mr. Massey was cheered as 110 walked from the car to the side entrance of the theatre. An attempt hy some of the crowd to force their way into the theatre was promptly checked l>v tho police, who cleared tho.lobby and kept ihe people on the street.

Mr. Dickson, the Reform candidato for Parnell, had just finished his speech when Mr. Massey arrived, and a rowdy element had been causing some trouble, but the candidate took a firm stand, and had the strong support of the great majority of those present. "We are not going to put up with any nonsense or interruptions by a few people who do not belong to this .electorate, exclaimed the candidate,' amid applause. "I give you fair warning that I will ask the police to prosecute anyone 'who makes an interruption." (Applause and booing.) "We have too much of this interference," added Mr. Dickson. "We are being. followed around from meeting to meeting by a few hoodlums, who want to make a disturbance." As Mr. Dickeon proceeded, the meeting settled down, and he was able to make his speech, though interruptions were still frequent. .

.When Mr, Massey entered the building at a side door a tremendous, uproar burst forth, and cheering and boding continued for some time. Supporters of the Prime Minister joine.d in singing the National Anthem. Those outside now attempted to enter the already overcrowded building, and the police had to close the doors.

On rising to speak, Jlr. Massey was greeted with applause from the body of the hall, and more "booing" from the back and gallery. No soo.ner had ho ,e.aid, "Jir. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen," than pandemonium again brake out. He calmly stood facing the audience, and soon his dominating personality asserted itself. Gradually the noise subsided, until there was silence.

Commencing, Mr. Massey said; "I don't expect a political meeting to be like a Sunday School gathering, but if anyone thinks ho, will put me out by 'booing' and making a noise he never made sucn. a-mistake in his life." (Applause nnd booing.) He referred to the Cnristchureh disturbance, and said he was plc-ased the proportion oi people of ti similar type in Auckland was exceedingly'small, 'iliis . attempt to disturb meetings he declared a-s- one of the most cowardly things ever attempted—(applause and uproar)—and no one but Cviivurds and dastards would attempt it. "1 don't tnink many of these people are nere," continued ili-. Massey, "but ttoe who uro I hope will not forget wnat I say." (Applause.) Alinosc immediately complete silenco was restored, and ior iho rest «i his speech there was no attempt to howl nim down. Interjections weio frequent. but Air. ilasaoy, wno w in good, trim, scored oft' most of cheiii. Referring to extreme Labour, Mr. Massey quoteu some of the statements o£ the leaders oi' that party, and. showed how important it was tfiafc n<j Government should bo at the dictates'of these men. "if .you don't want Mr. Holland in power, how are goinir to avoid itr" he naked.

A prominent interjector: "Put in Bill Massey."

Mr. Massey; "Exactly, I knew that you were near tfag Kingdom." (Laugliter.)

Mr. Massey appealed for increased production to lielp the Dominion to carry its burdens.' "There is no happiness without contentment," he said, "and you cannot get contentmeni without prosperity, and you cannot get prosperity without industry." (Applause,) In the course of his speech at Newmarket Mr. Ma&ev was asked how he was going to settle the coal difficulty: He said; "You are asking mo to put all my cards on the table now, and I, am not going to do it." A -voice; "You are shuffling them now. Mr... Massey: "They will be shuffled, and cut, and a trump will bo turned up." (Laughter.) A' voice: "Do you hold the joker?" Mr. Massey: "When you think of what happened when I came back, and found that the railways had stopped, you will agree .that I held the joker.". (Laughter and applause.)

The Prime Minister then detailed the efforts Jh.dt had beeu made to deal with the difficulty in the mines. Both sides, he said, had proved obstinate. He had been blamed for not calling a compulsory conference, but ■ what was the uso of compelling people to confer when there ivas no chance of their agreeing? He said he was quite convinced the miners should have good nav and better accommodation, but no one class of the com-' munity could have their demands granted at the expense of the rest.

ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING AT TUATCAU. By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, December 0. The Prime Minister had a. remarkable Veception at Tuakau this afternoon. The town was ftaily decorated and children lined the approach to the hall, which was crowdpd. Thu cbairman extended a hearty welcome to Mr. Masscv, whose name, lie said. was familiar throughout the world a? the rosnit of his e.wpicuniH; work as the head of the National Government.

Mr. Masse.v was received with cheers, and his speech was punctuated with applause. Alludin? to defpnee. he said that he did not sucprest a threat' standing army, but it was esspniial to keen the navv supreme. (Apnl/tnse.) Dcaliner v.Nh the Opposition ami the extreme Labour Partie-, which he said nnpe?roil to be in competition a* to which shouM !mve (he preatfst. number of nationalisation proposals, he said it reminded him «>f (bo doctor who nrescHhcd (be pmiin pill for even* ill. In llii< m*? i<aHonallsnHon was the "lie ni'l. While I.e. lievin? that nationalisaf'on was necessary to break no nii" , opn , v. he lav l -lowi the niacin'" that th" Plato 'hould r"t interfere with an industry which eou'd fipfl-pv be ran private individnrls. Me declared bis belief that the nrireinal cause if the inwnep of th° cost of !ivinp was tile trsnion'lo'" Issue nf currency. which had Hie ip"«-sts ,l » l '» effect of cheapenim.' money. TTe .lid nn t believe the cost of livinr- '.vnuld be ?reativ reduced until much nf the paper currency withdrawn, and tips b» a. cradua.l -"'ocess. New 'Zealand would welcome "rvice men Britain was froInjr to as.-M fo so abroad. A unaniinons vote o.f thanks alifLcon:. cnrrittl "'iffiinl" chccn-. -■ • "