MR. KEIR HARDIE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2082, 7 January 1908, Page 2

MR. KEIR HARDIE.

SPEECH IN WELLINGTON. STATEMENT REGARDING INDIA ATTACK ON NEW ZEALAND PRESS. Press Association. WELLINGTON, Jan. C. Air Keir Bardie addressed over two thousand people at the Town Hall last evening. The Mayor, the Hon. T. AY. Hisiop, presided, lhe meeting was -remarkably enthusiastic, the speaker being repeatedly cheered, and there was not a single interruption. His address in the mailt concerned Socialism and the -aims of socialists. Speaking in reference to his doings and sayings in India he stated that a discredited journalist in. India had cabled an incorrect version of his sayings to some Homo papers. Four other accounts (which were correct) had been ignored by the press here. It w.is a strange tiling that the people of India and all officials from the Yiceroy downwards and the public press there knew nothing about these Clings. lie could well remember the astonishment there was in Calcutta when news was published there from London that he was playing the part of a fire-brand and exciting the people to sedition and rebellion. The man who had sent the incorrest report was proved to be a liar. Ho had been subjected to some criticism in his time, but nothing so insulting as regards the New Zealand press concerning himself, his personality and his opinions. (Applause). At the proper time and place he would have a good deal to say about India and the conditions of that unhappy country. He stated that Socialism was rapidly advancing and he hoped the day was not far distant when tho workers of this country would show more zeal in Trades Unionism and more interest in political affairs; and then the element that would dominate Parliament would not be the landlord or capitalistic element but tftc human element of the working classes..

A FACER, QUOTATIONS FROM BRITISH AND INDIAN JOURNALS. ORIGINAL ALLEGATIONS PROVED. (Special to Times.) AA ELLINGTON, January 6. Oil Sunday evening AJr. Keir Hardie addressed an audience of about two thousand people in tlio Town Hall oil the subject of Socialism. He met with a very enthusiastic receptionu, and was loudly cheered when ho made his appearance on the platform. A red flag on which was printed tho “Socialism” was displayed and was the signal for an outburst of cheering. During the course of his remarks Air. Hardio referred to his action in India. He gave a general denial of the statements made about him in the British and Colonial press. He slanged the press generally and said Now Zealand editors wore cads. He, however, refused to give a specific denial of the charges made against him. Indeed, he plainly evaded them. The “Post,” however, gives chapter and verse both from the Indian and the British press that prove up to the hilt the mischievous nature of Mr. Hardie’s campaign in India, It oven quotes against- Air. Hardie a Liberal British paper which ho himself told his audience would bear out his own statements. Tlio paper referred to is tho “Tribune.” After quoting tho comments of this journal tho “Post” says:—Unmistakably these opinions support the general attitude of the New Zealand press. Unmistakably they condemn the folly of Mr. Hardie and tho unscrupulous defence of his partisans. FUTURE MOVEMENTS. (Special to TimosA AVELLINGTON, January 6. Air. Keir Hardie will leave for the South in the Maori to-night anil go straight on to Dunedin in the second express. Ho will reach Invercargill on Saturday and leave New Zealand via the Bluff on Monday next. NO MAYORAL RECEPTION AT DUNEDIN. Press Association. DUNEDIN, Jail. 6. The Mayor lias written to the Trades and Labor Council declining to accede to their request that he should officially receive Air. Keir Hardio on his arrival here on "Wednesday night.