CHAMBERLAIN’S GREAT SPEECH.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 1032, 27 October 1903, Page 3

CHAMBERLAIN’S GREAT SPEECH.

RECEIVED WITH GREAT ENTHUSIASM, OPINIONS EXPRESSED. Per R.M.S. Ventura, at Auckland, (Per Press Association,!

Glasgow, Oct. 0. Whatever may be the opinion hold regarding the groat question which Mr Chamberlain has raised, or tho probablo

issue of his campaign, it is generally ad

milted that he hue opened it in a masterly manner befitting a momentous occasion, and ho can no longer bo accused of nebulosity in presenting his case. For nearly two hours, only referring occasionally to fairly full noted for figures and statistics, ho hold the vast aud enthusiastic audionce absorbed by ouo of his finest orutorial efforts as though inspired by the knowlodge that the practical collapse and break up of the Unionist party left him in sole possession of tho fiold, He spoke with more than his customury onergy aud persuasiveness, lacking nothiug in lucidity • either of phrase or argument, while his appoal to the working class, upon whom moro than any section of tho community, especially since tho defection of tho Duke of Devonshire from the Unionist Administration, tho success or fuiluro of his preferential achome will depend, was eminently ealoulatod to enlist Choir support. It was an inspiriting scene. Within Bt. Andrew’s Hall, whoro he delivered his speech, every corner of tho auditorium was packod with men and womon, choering, siuging, aud waving handkorchiofs. As chairman, Mr Matthew Andrew | led Mr Chamberluin CO the platform. Tho late Colonial Secretary was pule, but selfpossessed, and alort, with his customary eye-glass and orchid, stood bowing his acknowledgments of tho acclamations, tho organ playing “ See the Conquering Hero Cumes,” A distinguished compuny of peers and mombors of the House of Commons woro present with a host of lbdius, including Mrs Frank Chamberlain, in tho reserved gallery. Despite tho Ureury and ceaseless rainfall tho hall had been full to over-fiowiug sinoo 6 p.m. The audience was worked up, the organist playing a selection of in spiring national airs, such as “ Kulo Britannia ” “ Ye Mariners of Englaud,” and at tho moment of Mr Chamberlain’s appearance the “ National Anthem,” during the playing of which tho wholo audience stood singing. When tho applause which greeted his arrival had subsided Mr Chamborlaiu began to speak, and in addi tiou to encouraging eheors from timo to time in the course of liis oration, bo was grectod at the close with a great demonstration

Tho parts of his speech attracting ro markable attention were his eulogy of Mr Balfour, and his repudiation of Clio idea of superseding him; his representations of the coming struggle as ouo groator iu its consequences than tho Boor war, his declaration that all working man in the colonies were protoctionists, and that any labor loader visiting the colonies would inevitably bo converted to protection', his description of tho Ameiican tariff os un oboiniuation, and his ouriuus presentation of tho cuso as affecting the workmen’s exchequer.