THE OPPOSITION CAMPAIGN

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3267, 12 July 1911, Page 5

THE OPPOSITION CAMPAIGN

MR. MASSEY AT CHRISTCHURCH.

CRUSH AT THE CHORAL HALL.

A MEETING THAT COULD NOT BE HELD.

IJPEB PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHURCH, July ll.f f; By 7.15 this evening the Choral Hall in Gloucester Street, which has seating capacity for 1500 people, was crammed to the doors to hear Mr W. F. Massey, Leader of the Opposition, deliver a political address. The aisles and- gallery, and indeed every available foot of space, was occupied, while a big crowd clamoured for admission outside. In spite of desperate work by the police the crowd became unmanageable, and the influx could not be stopped. The crowd inside the hall alternately called' for cheers for Mr Massey, Sir Joseph Ward,, and others. It was quite evident that under these conditions the meeting, could not be held, as the crowd outside was making a loud din. To make matters worse women fainted in the, crush at the Madras Street entrance, and this so disturbed the crowd for some. minutes that anyone who tried to speak could not make himself heard.

At twenty minutes to eight Mr T. E. Taylor, M.P.. Mayor of Christchurch,, stepped forward and announced that unless the aisles were cleared the meeting could not be held, but the crowd was too great, and. this was greeted by mixed groans and cheers, and the uproar continued for three or four minutes. “It is still ten minutes before starting time,” said Mr Taylor, “and if those people * will kindly go out Mr Massey will address the rest.” He added that he had consulted Mr Massey before making this announcement. There was a perfect storm of cheers and hoots when Mr Massey stepped forward to speak, and for some time he could not get a hearing. When the noise subsided he said that failing his being able to address a meeting that night be would return and meet the electors of Christchurch as soon as possible and let them hear what the Opposition platform was (cheers.) At this stage there was a terrificnoise from outside the hall, and no one could be heard. There were loud cries of “Address us in Latimer Square,” but Mr Massey replied that his voice would, not last half-an-hour in the open air. Mr Taylor then made another appeal to the people in the aisles to go out and let the meeting proceed, and a fair number complied with the request, but at their exit at the front doors thecrowd became worse at the side door and threatened to stampede the seats. Some minutes of uproar elapsed, and at two minutes past eight Sir T. E. Taylor rose and said: “As the chairman of this meeting, I find it altogether too dangerous for Mr Massey to deliver an address, and I therefore declare the meeting closed.” There was no movement on the part of the crowd, however, to leave, but as Mr Massey, accompanied by Mr Taylor and the members of the Canterbury Reform League, who had been able to struggle on to the platform, turned to go, there were cries of “cowards,” and “come out side.” Someone in the gallery, during a lull in the uproar, moved a vote of confidence in Mr Massey, and this was heralded by loud cheers. Then some foolish person, presumably to induce the crowd to leave the building, turned out one of the lamps over the gallery, and this threatened a panic until the police obtained quietness. At one stage the crowd directly in. front of the platform were being induced by those behind to leave by way of the stage, and a rush on the platform was threatened. As it was, many clambered over the palms and the reporters’ tables, and crushed through the stage doors at the back of the building. By 8.15 the hall had emptied to a great extent, and the crowd inside had become considerably quieter. Mr Massey again stepped forward, and said: “Ladies and gentlemen,—l want to thank you for the compliment you have paid me.” (Cheers.) A Voice: "Where is the chairmanP

Air Massey: lam not going to make a speech, I have only two words to say. 1 want to thank you for the compliment you have paid me in coming here tonight (loud and continued applause). I have come all the way from Auckland to address this meeting, when nights are valuable because we are now within a fortnight or three weeks of the commencement of the session.

A Voice: What about the apology. Air Alassey: I intended to-night to refer to the Acting-Prime Aiinister's speech and also to refer to what has been known in Christchurch as the Tay-lor-Alassey incident . I intended also to put before you that platform of the Opposition party to which I belong (loud applause). I am sure once you heard it you would support it very heartily (loud applause). 1 intended also to show you the grave defects in the administration of the present Government, and to put forward the considerations' you have not heard from a Christchurch platform, but I cannot do it to-night. Let me say this, I may not be able to do It in one night, or two nights, hut if I don’t do it in two nights I will do it in three, and I will tell you this, that before the election comes round, even if I have to leave my own district. I will come to Christchurch and meet vou her® again from the platform (loud applause). A voice from the gallery: Why aro you speaking now the Mayor has gone? Air Alassey: I have just been reminded that I indicated to the Mayor I had no intention of speaking. I have spoke n_ longer' than I expected, and I must again thank you for the hearty reception you have accorded me (loud applause). The crowd then gradually filtered from the bxiilding. Mr Alassev, accompanied by Air C. A. C, Hardy,Al.P. for Setwyn, left the hall, and was followed by a large crowd. Air Taylor several times expressed- regret to Air Alassey at the way things had turned out, but that under the circumstances the only thing to be done was to close tire meeting.

Interviewed after the meeting had broken up Air Taylor said it would have been highly dangerous to hold the meeting in its crushed state, and every rea-sonable-minded man voukl agree with bis action in not allowing it to proceed. “So far as I was able to see,” said Mr Taylor later on in the evening, “ill© crowd was not a hostile crowd.' The impression I got urns that they were friendly rather than otherwise,' hut allsides of politics were represented at the meeting. “I am quite sure that had I been able to go on,” said Afr Alassev. “without risk to the audience, I would- have had a very friendly meeting, and a very good hearing. As it is, I doubt now whether I shall -bo able t-o come back until parliament meets, but I will come over than and spend a week end in Christchurch, addressing a meeting here, and if necessary, another after that.