The Premier in the South.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4774, 28 April 1884, Page 2

The Premier in the South.

THE CHEISTCHUECH MEETING.

[Pee Peess Association.]

Cheistchcech, This day,

Major Atkinson addressed an enormous meeting on Saturday night, and was received with hisses and groans mingled with a little applause. The Mayor requested the meeting, for the honor of the city, to give the Premier a patient hearing. His speech was mainly a repetition of the Hawera and Danedin deliverances. He defended the action of the Government in connection with the railway rates, condemning the proposal to manage railways by .-'Boards I,* and proved thfit Canterbury #as not unfairly treated with regard to land revenue. Almost every remark for the first half hour called forth signs of disapprobation, which the Mayor vainly endeavored to suppress. Matthews, leader of the unemployed agitation, appealed for a fair hearing for the Premier, but he waff 1 groaned down. A scene of great confusion, hooting and groaning followed a remark made by the Premier about loafers interrupting him, and order was only restored by Mr Reese, a popular member of the City Council, appealing to the meeting to not, by disorder, lose an opportunity of making a fitting expression of its disapproval of Ministers' action. A motion of no confidence in the Ministry was carried, two-thirds of those present voting for it, and about a dozen against it. Mr Wakefield was present and attacked the Government. The meeting ended with cheers for Sir George Grey and Mr E. Wakefield.