MR MASSEY AT CHRISTCHURCH.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 549, 12 March 1913, Page 5

MR MASSEY AT CHRISTCHURCH.

A MIXED RECEPTION

CHEERS AND GROANS.

[llY TKU'XatAril.— -I'IUISS AWWMTI.ON.] Cbristchurch, This Day.

The Hon. W. F. Mansey, Prime Minister, addressed a largo audience at the Theatre Royal Inst night. It was fortunate that special precautions had been taken to prevent the danger of overcrowding. The hall wan Idled by 7 o'clock, when the doom were closed and hundreds turned up later. When the curtain wan drawn up pandemonium reigned for several minutoH, but finally an appeal by the Mayor restored order.

Mr Massoy rose amidnt cheers and groans. He said he was going to have his say. Ho always had got a fair hearing everywhere, even at Waihi. Ho was going to make a policy speech. Half of his next sentence was lost through interruption, the incident moving the Mayor to rise and apologise "for the manners of a few noipy citizens." Mr Massey referred to the work of the past session, pointing out the fact that the party bad gone through hundreds of divisions wihtout a single defeat. Financial difficulties, legacies let by mado it imperative for the Finance Minister to go Homo. They Wore giving the local bodies money at the same rate as it cost to got it. That was a square deal. The country was never more proaporous than to-day. A voice: What about Southland leases?

MrMassey: What about it? What did Judge Williams say?

A Voice: How much did you pay im?

Mr Massoy: Such a remark is a disgrace to the city. Judge Williams is a man Wo hold in the highest

respect

Interruptions becamo more frequent when Mr Massoy referred to labour matters. Ho said thoy must stick to the Arbitration Act, and endeavour to make it perfect. Tho Government would see to that. Referring to the Upper House Mr Massoy said it would bo elective, and the term of office would bo throe years.

A vote of confidence was proposed, followed by a hostile amendment. A great many hold up their hands for each. Amid cheers and proans the Mayor declared the motion carried.