POLITICAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 153, 4 December 1914, Page 3

POLITICAL.

LIBERAL LEADER AT PUKEKOHE. AN ENTHUSIASTIC TRIUMPH. (Special to Daily News). . Pukckohe, Wednesday Night. Sir Joseph Ward is having a strenuous time. He is travelling continually, and he is as fit as a fiddle. He addressed a meeting at Huntly this afternoon, the local hall being crowded. Numbers of people were unable to find seating accommodation, and stood throughout the proceedings. When the Liberal leader made his appearance or the platform, there was a great outburst of applause and cheering, which only subsided when a troop of little girls, dressed in white, ' presented Sir Joseph Ward wife large bunches of flowers and a banner bearing the words artistically worked Upon it, "Welcome—Justice—Victory." Sir Joseph spoke for an hour and a quarter, his time beihg limited, as he had to leave in time to motor to X'ukckohe, over a bad road. At the conclusion of his address, a resolution was carried with great enthusiasm, thanking Sir Joseph Ward for Ins speech, expressing confidence in him as leader of the Liberal party, and the hope that the general election would see the Tories ousted from office. The meeting pledged themselves to do all in their pjwer to return Mr Thompson, the Liberal candidate for Raglan. Only one voice waa raised against the motion. The meeting closed with hearty cheers for Sir Joseph Ward. A large crowd assembled in the principal street of Mercer and gave Sir Jospeh Ward a hearty rally as he passed through. Sir Joseph thanked them for their I greetings, but was unable to deliver an address, as he was behind time foi his mating at Mr Massey's headquarters. IJc was loudly cheered as he drove on, after a few minutes' stop. Sir Jospeh arrived at Pukckche at hull past eight. Half an hour lat-ir tlic premier picture theatre was crowded to its utmost, even the stage being' packed. At half past seven the big building was full, and admission was refused to those who camo after that hour. All the exit doors were thrown open, and as it was a fine night, largo numbers of people stood outside and were able to hear all the address in the open. It is estimated that fully 1200 persons were present. Sir Joseph has had some good meetings from end to end of the Dominion, but- nowhere has he received a mora enthusiastic, ami warm reception as at Pukekohe, in the centre of the Prime Minister's electorate. The appearance of Sir Joseph in the hall was a signal for a great demonstration, the applauso. and cheers being repeated again and again, It must have been inspiriting to the leader of the Opposition, after a tremendous day's travel and talk, and incidentally no dinner, to receive such an overwhelming testimonial of his popularity. Throughout the meeting, which was presided over by the Mayor, Mr Lowrie, Sir Joseph was applauded and cheered every few minutes. When Mr Massey recently addressed his constituents in the same hall, there was not so big an audience, and the proceedings were not nearly so enthusiastic. Sir Jospeh's speech was on the lines of his forme? addresses. There were many interjections in the early stages from prominent Reformers, but Sir Joseph scored so cleverly oft' them all that they soon wearied of the task. The interrupters became the laughing stock of the audience. The speech lasted for two hours, and when Sir Joseph resumed his seat, there was a scene of the wildest excitement. A person in the centre of the hall called for three cheers for Mr Massey. This was responded to by hoots and groans, followed by lusty cheers for Sir Joseph Ward. After quietness was restored, Mr J. E. Stembrjdgc moved a vote of thanks to Sir Joseph for his able address, and confidence in the Liberal party under Sir Joseph Ward's leadership. This was seconded by Mr C. A. Kidd- There was another wild scene of excitement, overwhelming cheers triumphing over a counter demonstration of the audience. Peace was once more restored, and Mr Eames, from the body of the hall, rose to move an amendment. He had been asked by some members of the Reform Leagu< to express appreciation of Sir Joseph Ward's courtesy in returning a visit to Pukekohe as an offset of Mr Massey visiting Awarua. They congratulated" the Liberal leader on his splendid fighting fettle. Mr Eames proceeded to move his amendment, but the noise and interruptions drowned Jjis voice. There was uproar for some time, and an attempt was made to count him out. After a time, the chairman restored order, and Mr Eames attempted to move "that this meeting thank Sir Joseph Ward for his political address, but as no valid reason for a change in Government has been advanced" —he was not allowed to continue, the demonstration against the amendment being so vehement. There was uproar and confusion, the mover was counted out, followed'by cheers for Sir Joseph Ward. Again and again Mr Eames attempted to read the amendment, but he was greeted with cries of ''sit down," and 'other similar calls. Subsequently he handed the amendment to the chairman. The concluding portion of the amendment contained the following: "This meeting affirms its continued confidence in the Massey administration." There was continued uproar, and when I the chairman put the amendment, there I • t a great demonstration, interspers- ! ! '.itli a little cheering. The motion j ' : ■ L'.ien put, and an enthusiastic and ! s'i.v::-rable demonstration followed. The ' ion was carried by an overwhelming j j irity. The chairman, amidst a wild i :,ceiie of enthusiasm, declared the mo- ! . ;: on carried. There was a final demon.{ration in favor of Sir Joseph Ward, the meeting closing with loud cheers for him and hoots for Mr Massey. The meeting is admitted on all sides as being a great triumph for the Liberal leader, despite the fact that motor-car loads of Reformers attended to create a disturbance. Subsequently Sir Joseph was entertained to a dinner by members of the liberal League. He motored back to Auckland at the conclusion. ' THE TAUMARUXUI SEAT. | MR JENNINGS ON TOUR. Mr Jennings has every reason to be pleased at the receptions lie is receiving since leaving Waitara 011 November ISth. The time has been spent mostly in the Kawiiia district. Starting at Mairoa, lie received a hearty vote of thanks for his address, and at Ngaponga a hearty vote of thanks and confidence. At Waitangarnu, the hall, was prettily decorated with flags, some oi them bearing placards with amusing reference to the Reform party and eulogistic ' of th rt T/iberal eauv and the candidate The building wat» packed, and at the conclusion a vote of thanks for the address and confidence in the candidate was met with a motion of thanks and no confidence, but the confidence motion was. carried by well over two to one,

a number refraining, from voting cither way. The result was cheered. Other meetings were held at Kirite- : here And Mwakopa, where a large gathering took place, every seat being 03cupied. On the motion of Mr J. Willison, an old Urenui boy, a vote of thanks and confidence was carried amidst applause. Votes of thanks were accorded at Waiharakeke, Awaroa, and Haxituru, the same applying to Te Rau Moa. Since being in the Kawhia district, on only three occasions have efforts been made to pass adverse motions, and :-ach timo they have been decisively beaten. AGRICULTURE REFORMS. In the course of his recent speech at Cambridge, Sir Josph Ward dwelt at considerable length upon the proposals .of the Liberal party in regard to the encouragement of agriculture. He wanted to see agricultural education dealt with on more practical and scientific lines. (Applause). When the Liberal party came into power, it would establish agricultural colleges, to which professorial appointments would bo made, with the object of imparting practical, scientific knowledge to young and old. Such a scheme would be invaluable in bringing better results from close cultivation. (Applause). It was also proposed to provide an up-to-date system of afforestation to cope with the problem of the denudation of trees, and make preparation, not only for ourselves, but for future generations. Afforestation would have to be done methodically, systematically and effectively. ■