NOISY MEETING AT WELLINGTON.

Manawatu Herald, Volume I, Issue 97, 12 August 1879, Page 2

NOISY MEETING AT WELLINGTON.

» : _ A series of letters have recently appeared in the Evening Post, attacking the working men of Wellington. The letters in question were signed " Philo," and as they created considerable excitement amongst the working classes, a mass mooting was called to protest against the statements made. It took place on Saturday evening, and an esteemed correspondent has forwarded us. the following report of tho pro<oeedings': — ' ' ' ' A meeting was held in the Arcade last night, under the auspices of the newlyformed Working Men's League. It wus a great sucoess: % At timew, however, it was very disorderly, particularly whon one of the 'speakers mentioned the name of Dr Featheraton, and said there was a law for imprisoning people who received goods under false pretences, and that the law should be extended bo as to apply to those who sent persons out here under false pre tences. At this point, great laughter and uprcar occurred ia one part of the room, where an individual was annoying the speaker. " Turn him out ! turn him out ! turn the — — out !" resounded through

he whole building. Then there wns a rush for the disturber, who, on being ejected, cried out, " He's dead ! he's dead !" referring to Dr Feutherston. It was not till a few minutes after nine o'clock that ihfl greatest confusion prevailed. It was Vim difficulty that I took notes. A. person $oni the crowd mounted the platform, and said — " Fellow Working Mt-n, — the only thing I am Borry for is that ' Philo ' did not come down to- night to defend himself." (Uproar.) Among other things I heard him say that at any rate he would defend him. Ho said many things that the working men entirely disapproved of. "It was in 1859." continued the speaker, " that the people themselves wished to emigrate to the colonies — jo Canada. And what did you do when you got there ? Nothing. You have come here, and what have you done slnoe you have been here? Nothing. Oan you get five bob a day in England for breaking stones ?" The above sentences are but very little of what the speaker said to the audience. But he was most insulting the whole time, and the way in which he uttered every word made things ten times worse. The audience could not stand it. " Uive that dog a bone !" " Put a crust in bis mouth," were the general cries. The mul. titude was seething with rage. A rush was made for the platform ; the speaker was pul'.ed off it, nnd hurled through the crowd with lightning speed. It "was a wonder he was not severely injured. Part of the platform then gave way. the crowd upon it at that time being so large. In other respects the meeting was a great success. A deputation waa appointed to wait upon the Government, urging that a cablegram be sent to the Agent-General, to stop immigration, excepting of course general servants and farm laborers.