THE THICK OF THE FIGHT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3381, 23 November 1911, Page 5

THE THICK OF THE FIGHT.

PREMIER ON TOUR. SPEAKS ON THE YELLOW PERIL. AND OUR DEFENCE MEASURES. (Per Press Association.) TAUMARTJNUI, Nov. 22. Sir Joseph Ward and party arrived last night bv the express. The Prime Minister opened the bridge across the Ongarue River in the morning, Lady Ward cutting the ribbon. In the afternoon the Prime Minister journeyed to a point two miles south of Te’koura, where he turned the first sod of the Tokoura-Stratford railway. There was a large gathering of the settlers, and he received a. splendid reception. This evening he addressed a largely attended public meeting, anti received an enthusiastic reception. He replied to Opposition criticism regarding the Dreadnought gift, and also dealt with the present expenditure on defence purposes . He said that for the small expenditure of £250,000 we were getting the protection of the British naivy, whereas Australia was spending eight millions for only a local navy. He also touched upon the question df military train in gh There was a- country (China), with a population of 400 or 500 millions whose shadow to-dav was over the whole of Australia and New Zealand. Australia was only ten days, and New Zealand onlv fourteen days’ steam from China. If these Asiatic hordes same into New Zealand the community would be debauched by their intermarriage with the daughters of the people of New Zealand. A voice: No. Continuing, the Premier said it had happened everywhere they had gone, and this was a. thing they should guard against. (Applause.) The expenditure on defence was well spent in guarding our shores from such a calamity. Workers, apart from this question, would be seriously affected, as the invasion of Asiatic labour would' be death-blow to unionism and all its benefits. He also referred to criticism regarding the public debt, and the alleged increase of taxation. He said that the Government. especially during his term _of office, had enormously reduced taxation in several directions. Sir Joseph, on resuming his seat, was greeted with loud and continued l cheers, and a hearty vote of thanks to Sir Joseph coupled with a vote of continued confidence in the Government, was carried unanimously, amid applause and cheers. After the meeting Sir Joseph Ward was entertained at a banquet. He left by the express later for Puko.kohe- and Waiuku. ROTORUA, Nov. 22The Premier is to deliver a political address here on Friday evening, and will speak at Te Aroha on' Saturday. MR. MASSEY WARMLY RECEIVED CONFIDENCE IN PALMERSTON N. PALMERSTON N., Nov. 22. Mr Massey addressed a- very large meeting in the Opera House this evening, hundreds being turned away. He was received with cheers, and spoke for over two hours, covering similar ground to his former speeches. A number of questions were subsequently answered, the meeting closing just before eleven. In reply to a question as to why lie had waited till after Mr T. E. Taylor was dead to clear him of aspersions he had cast upon him, Mr Massey saad that Mr Taylor was dead, and he would say nothing but good of the dead. He denounced the asker of the question as a cut, and said he had shaken hands with Mr Taylor when in Christchurch, and they had said that they could settle tlieir differences in five minutes’ talk. He denounced the correspondent who- asked this question in that day s “Manawatu Daily Times”, and said that he was making a collection of such cuttings all over the Dominion to hand to his solicitors as there was such a tiling as criminal libel. At the close a vote of thanks and trust that Mr Massey should secure a substantial majority to enable him to take up the Government was carried, an amendment of thanks only being cried down and lost. The meeting closed just before eleven with prolonged cheers for Mr Massey.

THE GISBORNE SEAT. NOT YET DECIDED. Before giving a final answer as to whether he will contest the Gisborne, seat Mr J. F. Sheridan, it is understood.* intends to hold a consultation to discuss certain matters with the spokesmen of the deputation which recently waited upon him. MR. MacDONALD AT TE KARAKA. EXTHUSIASTICALLY RECEIVED. The largest political meeting eve. held at Te Karaka took place last evening, when Mr W. D. S. MacDonald addressed the electors. Mr A. M. Lewis occupied the chair. The speaker received an excellent hearing, and Ins marks were frequently punctuated by outbursts of applause. Mr MacDonald spoke on the lines of his speech aO Whatatutu, and at the close of Ins address, on the motion; of Air C. A. Foote, seconded by Mr G. Pitcher, lie was given a hearty vote of thanks and continued confidence in him was expressed. The motion was carried unanimously with acclamation, and the meetingbrokc up with three ringing cheers for Mr MacDonald. 1 At the conclusion of his address Mr .MacDonald was entertained at a banquet by his committee. GENERAL ASSEMBLY DISSOLVED. PARLIAMENT CONVENED FOR DECEMBER 29. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Nov. 22. Gazette notices were issued to-dav dissolving the General Assembly, and convening Parliament for December 29; also giving the usual lists of returning officers and polling places. Nominations for the Maori members have been fixed for December Ist, and the polling for the 19th. BRITISH FAIR PLAY. A LIVELY MEETING IN THE SOUTH. HOKITIKA, Nov. 22. At the close of Mr Michel’s address at Ross last evening, after a most attentive hearing, a motion of thanks was moved, whereupon Mr Joseph Grimmond rose and mounted the stage to speak to the motion, and to reply to criticism by Mr Michel of some references made by Mr Grimmond at Hokitika regarding Mr Michel’s attitude to the sale of the Hokitika harbor reserves and the Ross Flat management. Amidst some uproar Air Grimmoud commenced to speak, the Mayor (Mr Bruce) ask-

ing for British fair play. Mr Michel then rose to a point of order, stating that there was no precedent to allow speeches or an attack on a motion of a vote of thanks. Mr Michel immediately walked off the stage into the body of the hall, this being the signal for a regular panclenioniuin of chc-oiing, hooting and singing. Mr Grimmond was unable to obtain a hearing, but con_ tinned reading a. statement. At the conclusion amid continued uproar, the Mayor put the motion and declared it carried. An excited crowd continued the uproar for a considerable time afterwards. THE WAKATIPU SEAT. STRAIGHT OUT TIGHT LEFT. DUNEDIN, Nov. Air Stevens has retired from the Wakatipu contest, leaving a straight-out fight between Mr Fraser, the late member, and Mr Horn, Ministerialist.