INDIGNATION MEETINGS.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 317, 18 January 1902, Page 3

INDIGNATION MEETINGS.

GREAT GATHERINGS IN WELLINGTON.

My Telegraph—Press Association.

Wellington, last night. There vijt s an enormous crow-1 at the public meeting convened by the Mayor to-day to protest against the recent Continental slanders against the British Nation. The gathering was held in the Theatre Royal, which proved all too small to accommodate the thousands who sought admission. Prominent on the stage were

members of the Ministry and Parliament, City Councillors, and leading citizens. The following motion was proposed by Mr John Dutbie, seconded by Mr R. C. Bruce, and carried, “ That the citizens of the City of Wellington, in the public mooting assembled, desire to express—(l) their emphatic approval of tho attitude of the British Government in the conduct of the South African war, and to record their appreciation of the complete refutation by the Right lion, rosoph Chamberlain of the foreign danders upon the honor of the British orces serving in South Africa ; (2) that he Premier bo requested to transmit a iopy of tho foregoing resolution to the Secretary of State for the Colonies." Stirring speeches were made by the nover and seconder, their utterances icing supplemented by tho Chief Justice, ho Premier, Sir Josepn Ward, and others, idiose remarks were received with loud pplause. Mr Seddon, in his address, mphasisod the necessity of bringing tho tar in South Africa to a conclusion, and eclarod that if more men wore wanted at re front after tho Bth Contingent was mt, more would be forthcoming from low Zealand. Whatever number of men ere required to help to bring the camaign to a conclusion they should go. In :ie way, regrettable though they were, ic slanders of the German press were a essing in disguise, for they had brought pmo to the world the homogenous nature ’ the British Empire, and the doterminapn of tho people to uphold tho honor of o country and tho flag. (

Subsequently an ovor-flow meeting was addressed from the steps of the General Post Office by Mr Seddon, Sir Joseph Ward, Mr Beauchamp, Rov. Bond, and Miss Seddon, when, amidst loud cheering, resolutions were carried expressing tho horror of the women of New Zealand at the calumnies circulated in Germany, reflecting on the honor of tho sons and husbands of the women of the colonies and Motherland, and expressing complete confidence in Mr Chamberlain, and sympathy with tho efforts made to defend the fair name of the British Army from the foul calumniators.

GREAT MEETING AT DUNEDIN. [By Telegraph—Press Association.] Dunedin, last night. The Garrison Hall was crowded to the doors to-night b,y citizens, responding to tho request of the Mayor to attend and pass resolutions protesting against the foreign slanders of tho British and Colonial soldiers. The meeting was one of the most demonsti-atively enthusiastic gatherings held in Dunedin, quito equal to that at which the patriotic fund was launched. The Mayor opened with .a brief patriotic speech. The Rev. W. P. Eairelougb, in a stirring speech, during which be was frequently cheered, moved, “ That this meeting of citizens of Dunedin, having heal'd with indignant amazement that a section of tho German press his grossly slandered the British forces in South Africa, the colonial contingents, the spirit of honor of the nation, the Right Hon. J. Chamberlain, and even Queen Alexandra herself, indignantly resents this villification, and affirms with all possible emphasis its belief in tho justice of the British cause and the chivalry of the Imperial and Colonial troops.” The motion was seconded by Dr Wm. Brown.

Tho second resolution was moved by Mr E. B. Cargill to the effect that the meeting desire to convey to the Hon. J. Chamberlain their admiration of the spirited and patriotic manner in which ho has vindicated the honor of Great Britain, and further desire to express entire confidence in the conduct of the South African war by the British Government, and in tho able administration of Lord Milner.

This was seconded by Mr James Allen, M.H.R. On the motion of Mr D. E. Theomin (President of the Chamber of Commerce), seconded by Mr R. Ferguson, President of the Trades’ and Labor Council, it was decided to ask the Governor to forward the second resolution by cable.

The meeting was a representative one. Between tho speeches patriotic songs were sung, the audience joining in the chorus. The meeting concluded with the singing of God Save the King.

NELSON’S RESENTMENT. By Telegraph—Press Association. Nelson, last night. Ac tho City Council meeting to-night the Mayor, Mr Bayent-, said he referred with pain to the gross slanders and libels upon the nation that had emanated from the people and press of the European country, and especially to the disgusting attacks on the Queen, which wero enough to make the blood boil every Briton. He thought it their duty to uphold the honor of the nation, and he moved that this Council desires to place on record its indignation at the gross and baseless libels on the Home and Colonial troops recently published in foreign newspapers, and its admiration of the firm and dignified attitude of the Imperial Government with reference to the South African war. The resolution was carried unanimously, and with applause.