Major Atkinson down South.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 127, 28 April 1884, Page 3

Major Atkinson down South.

Another Vote of Want of Confidence.

A Disorderly Meeting.

(UNITED I'RKSS ASSOCIATION.) Chiustoiiukch, Thi.s Day. Major Atkinson addressed an enormous mcc ing on Saturday and was received with hisses and groans minglnil with a little applause. Tim Mayor requested the meeting for the honor of the city to give the Premier a patient hearing. The speech was mainly a repetition of those at Hawera and Dune Jin. He defended the action o£ Government with regard to increased railway tariff, condemned the proposal to manage the railways by a Board and proved that Canterbury had not been unfairly treated with regard to the land revenue. Almost every remark for the first half-hour called forth signs of disapproval which the Mayor vainly endeavoured to suppress Mr Matthews, tb,e leader of the unemployed agitation appealed for a fair hearing for the Premier, but was groaned down. A scene, of great confusion, with hooting and groaning followed a remark by the j Premier about loafers interrupting, order was only restored by Mr Reese, the popular member ot the City Council appealing to the meeting not by disorder to lose the opportunity of making a fitting expression of disap r proval of Ministers' action. A motion of no confidence m the Ministry was carried by two thirds of those present votiug for ii, a dozen against it. Mr Wakefield was present and attacked the- Government. Tue meeting ended wiih cheers for Mr Wakefield and Sir George Grey.