A LIVELY MEETING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 980, 18 April 1911, Page 2

A LIVELY MEETING.

TOMMY TAYLOR HECKLED. BY AN EX-CLERGYMAN. Rbefton, April 15. Mr T. E. Taylor spoke here last night. Among the audience was the Rev. William Thompson, organiser for the Licensed Victuallers. From almost at the outset the meeting developed into a duel between these two.

Mr Taylor said the advertised statements as to Maine, published on the eve of the last election, were absolutely false. Mr Thompson; Absolutely true.

Mr Taylor said the man who signed that advertisement knew it to be false. He was an ex-parson who once had preached righteousness, and now worked for a traffic founded on vice.

Mr Thompson: You miserable coward !

The proceedings at this stage grew very warm.

Mr Taylor: I never met this man before, but now I have him under the whip. Mr Thompson : You are a liar and a cad ! You broke up my meetings. Mr Taylor : I never met you before, and never broke up your meetings.

Mr Thompson: If not you, it was your party.

Mr Taylor : That is not I. Mr Taylor termed Mr Thompson “a renegade parson, 5 ' and Mr Thompson said Mr Taylor was a liar and no gentleman. Mr Taylor compared Dr. Salmoud’s article against prohibition to drawing a salmon, if not a red herring, across the scent. A local solicitor called on Mr Taylor to retract, and the proceedings again became lively. Mr Thompson alleged that Mr Taylor had connived at the escape of a certain person (named) from justice.

Mr Taylor challenged Mr Thompson to write the charge down, and he (Mr Taylor) would proceed against him for slander. It was the most exciting meeting held in Reefton for years. A resolution was passed, only three voting against, but numbers not voting, affirming the principle of national option or recommending it to the Dominion.