M’s.P. TALK FIGHT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1676, 17 February 1917, Page 1

M’s.P. TALK FIGHT.

' ' • PURSE OP £2OO

As a sequel to the breaking up of a peace meeting at Cardiff it is just on the cards that an M.P. may engage in a boxing match (says Lloyd's Weekly). Mr Charles Barnett, of Cardiff, has offered a purse of £2OO for a ten-rounds contest between Mr C. B. Stanton, M.P. for Merthyr, and Mr James Winstone, president of the Welsh Miners’ Federation. The offer follows a challenge issued to Mr Stanton by Mr Winstone.

Mr Stanton states that he is willing to meet Mr Winstone for a purse of £OOO and £IOO a side. He adds that such details as the moving picture rights can be settled later. He confesses that as an amateur he has been in the ring many times, and has always been successful. General satisfaction is expressed in South Wales that Mr Stanton has accepted Mr Winstone’s challenge.

Mr Winstone was present at a district council meeting at Abersyciian, when he was repeatedly advised to “Be careful; Stanton is coming.’’ He took the chaff quite goodhumouredly, and in subsequent conversation stated that he was prepared to meet Mr Stanton in a 12round boxing contest anywhere in South Wales, the proceeds to go to charitv.

In reply to a suggestion that it should be a fight instead of a boxing contest, Mr Winstone said, “I would rather the boxing. 1 might hurt him too much with the fists. But he can have which he likes.”

To a pressman Mr Stanton remarked: “1 have no doubt that if Mr Winstone means it he will convey it to me in the usual way. On the face of it, it seems very stupid; but let me say at once that if* he puts forward the proposition seriously I shall be prepared to oblige him on any terms he likes. For the

moment 1 cannot say more, because Mr Winston has not thought fit to communicate his challenge to me.”

The meeting which was broken up had been organised by the National Conference for Civil Liberties. Mr Winstone, who was the defeated candidate Avhen Mr Stanton won Merthyr, was announced to preside, and the two principal speakers were Mr Ramsay Macdonald, M.P., and Mr J. H. Thomas, M.P. The conference had not been long in progress when a tremendous hubbub could bo heard outside the building. Then there was a loud battering at the door, which suddenly crashed in. The first man through was a onearmed sergeant-major, who had lost his limb at Ypres. He was followed by Mr C. B. Stanton, M.P., and Captain Tappers, of (he Sailors’ and Firemen’s Union, and many other demonstrators. A rush was at once made for the platform, and a free fight ensued. Mr Ramsay Macdonald made an earlyl exit by the side door, and though Mr Thomas tried to restore order, he had to retire. The big platform was quickly filled with the excited demonstrators, who waved their Hags and sang “God Save the King,” “Rule Britannia,” and other songs. The original audience gradually disappeared, and the meeting resolved itself into a lively patriotic demonstration.

Mr Winstone was pelted with tomatoes and mud after leaving the hall. He was with great difficulty protected by the police from the angry mob.