Political

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 279, 28 April 1914, Page 5

Political

MR. MASSEY AT AUCKLAND. A SPLENDID RECEPTION. By Te'egraph—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night, The Prime Minister addressed a political meeting at the Town Hall this evening. Tile meeting was timed to start at 8 p.m., but the hall was overcrowded before 7.30 p.m., and Mr. Massey started his address at a quarter to eight, but on entering the building he was greeted with continued cheers and applause, mingled with dissent from the back of the hall. An uproar of cheers and counter cheers ensued when Mr. Parr, the Mayor, introduced the speaker, and was continued when Mr. Massey rase to speak. He said Sir Joseph Ward bad giveu one side of the question at his recent meeting, and he claimed the right to put the other side. They were not going to disturb him. After that, Mr. Massey had little difficulty in making himself heard, speaking on lines followed in previous addresses, although interruptions occurred at times, and some eight or nine men were ejected. Mr. Massey made reference to the 'gtrikc, and stated amidst applause that the Government would do the same in f,he future in a similar position as it had done in the past. During the speech reference was made to the circular letter issued by Mr. James, of the Reform League, Mr". Massey saying that one was stolen from an envelope after it had been posted to an Auckland resident. The letter, he claimed, was such as was used by other political organisations in the Dominion.

The following resolution was passed by an overwhelming majority when the meeting concluded at 10.30 p.m:—"That this meeting tenders its thanks to the Prime Minister for his able and statesmanlike address, expresses its 'hearty appreciation of the many reforms he has inaugurated and splendid service lie has rendered to New Zealand, cordially approves of the policy outlined in his remarks, records its entire confidence in him and nis Government, and hopes that the Reform party will be returned to power with a large majority at the forthcoming election.

About 1000 people were unable to gain admission to tuo hall.

GOVERNMENT WILL SPEND MONEY.

Auckland, Monday. Speaking at a luncheon at Warkworth, Mr. Massey said that now that the financial difficulty which confronted the Government on taking office was at an end, they intended 1 to go in for a forward policy of development and opening up the country by the building of railways, roads and bridges. If they were going to develop the country as it should be developed, they must give settlers an opportunity of making the most of their land. He was strongly of opinion that the time had come for raising a special loan spread over a period of years for making and improving the roads. The country 'also needed more population of the right sort.