RECEPTION TO PRIME MINISTER.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 519, 20 November 1912, Page 5

RECEPTION TO PRIME MINISTER.

AN ENTHUSIASTIC GATHERING. PRESENTATION OF ADDRESS. [liY TKLI-XiBAPlt. — I'IIKSS ASSOCIATION'.] Auckland, This Day. The Waihi Strike Committee emphatically repudiated the rumours in circulation that attempts were to be made to cause riots in connection with Mr Massey's meeting. All Waihi men were especially warned to keep aloof from these meetings. There was a huge crowd at the Town Hall, when Mr Massey was presented with an illuminated address by the Political Reform League. The crowd cheered itself hoarse. The Mayor presided, and among those on the platform were the Hons. J. Allen, W. H. Hsrries, Rhodes, Pomare, and Mrs Massey. All the Ministers briefly addressed tha meeting. Mr Massey, in his speech, declared he had taken office with the sole determination to do the best for the country, and all his party's pledges would be fulfilled. The reform of the Legislative Council by making ic elective would be effected. The Government had passed its promised freehold Bill, and although the Bill was not yet complete, leasehold was already a thing of the past. They had ended undue extravagance in administration. Reverting to the labour troubles, he said all law breakers, irrespective of party, would be punished. There would be no prejudice, and no favours shown. Loud cheers were given for Mr Massey, Mrs Massey, and the various Ministers.

DISAPPOINTED MOB. AT PRIME MINISTERS' MEETING. Auckland, This Day. At seven o'clock last evening a crowd of two thousand assembled, apparently with the object oE greeting Mr Massey with a hostile demonstration, but the Prime Minister had gono early to the hall and so avoided the demonstrators. Commissioner Cullen had arranged for a force of over a hundred police to be on duty at the •Town Hall, and their, arrival was the signal for derisive outburst from the mob. When prolonged cheering from inside the hall announced that Mr Massey had appeared on the platform, the out-manoeuvred demonstrators gave vant to their chagrin by booing vigorously. Then the Federation leaders gave addresses, but while, as usual, using vigorous language, they exhorted their followers to refrain from violence and to give Mr Massey a hearing. Mr Massey's meeting ended at 9.5 p.m., and there was a rush by the crowd towards the Town Hall, and vigorous hoping was induged in. The pnlica, however, headed them off and the Masseyites cheering, psroved quite as effective as the others' booing. The Prime Minister and Mrs Massey drove away in a motor car in the opposite direction. POLICE TAKE A HAND. Inspector Cullen, seeing it was improbable the mob would disperse, formed up his men and, led by mounted police, marched steadily through the mob, paying no attention to the boohs and groans of the Federationists. They mounted the base of th 9 Grey Statue, and exhorted the crowd to disperse, but action by the police proved necessary before dispersing was effected. There were lew remaining in the vicinity by 11 o'clock.

POLITICAL PARTISANS. DEMONSTRATION AT AUCKLAND YOUTHS COME TO BLOWS. Auckland, This Day. After the meeting at the Town Hall last night, some forty young men, mostly old college boys, supporters of the Reform party, wem subjected to insulting language from a rough crosvd, and scornfully referred to as "college pups." They banded together and marched down Queen street. Some irresponsible youths followed, using fists freely. One lad was almost stunned by a blow on the back of the head. The police intervened. Subsequently ten members of the youthful Reform party were attacked near the wharf. Blows were exchanged till the combatants were scattered by the crowd.