A VEXING QUESTION

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 123, 14 February 1940, Page 5

A VEXING QUESTION

PREACHERS AND PACIFISTS

ALL ABOUT STREET MEETINGS

Councillor Armstrong set the ball in motion when lie informed the Borough Council on Monday night that several business people had complained about a religious body holding meetings in the Strand on Friday nights. It had been suggested that they could be moved to the Square. "Yes," agreed His Worship the Mayor, "I have heard some, complaints too, and I was warning lo do something about it." Cr Sullivan rose lo observe that all street collections or meetings should have the consent of the Conn cil. Further, said the Councillor, it had been clearly demonstrated in some of the cities that control was necessary. There should be applications for permission to hold meetings and the objects should be stated.

"I have been into the By-laws," saitl the Mayor, "and wc can't do anything so long as they don't cause an obstruction." Motion by Mayor. Said Cr Sullivan: "Wc could refuse a permit if we considered that an obstruction would be caused. Anyway, they should apply out of courtesy to the Council. As far asfixing the place for the meetings is concerned, the Borough Council can denote the place where they should be held. I would say that any meeting held in the Strand would cause an obstruction." The Mayor s;<id he thought it time that something should be done in the matter and moved that the particular body to which reference had been made should be advised that complaints had been received and that further meetings would be subject to the permission of the Finance Committee of the Council. 'Matter of Dictatorship. "We are still lighting for democracy and Tree speech," said Cr Shapley. "but I think Ave should have control and appoint the Square as the place at which to hold the meetings." After a few minutes of desultory discussion Cr Shapley was again on his feet. "I won't support this . . . this . . . dictatorship," he said. "We must retain the privilege of free speech. You can go to Hyde Park, in London —known as the outlet of the British Empire—and there hear all sorts of speeches. People can say anything there so long as they don't say anything against Royalty. It isn't right that we should sit here and tell them they are a nuisance, as long as they are within the law"

Cr Sullivan nipped in here with: "Would you support a Communist meeting in the middle of the Strand?" '"That's different," replied Cr Shap ley. "Oh, no," flashed His Worship, "it's just the same." Cr Sullivan: "His Worship's motion is that anyone desiring to hold a meeting of' any sort should apply to the Council for permission. If the council approves, it then fixes the place where the meeting should be held.'* Cr Shapley got as far as "If we are going to sit in judgment," when Cr Sullivan slipped in, with all the speed of the proverbial greased lightning, "That's what Ave are here for," ancl then continued in a reiteration of his elucidation of the Mayoral policy. Councillor's Blood Curdles. Cr Canning rose to second the motion and said, he did not agree with Cr Shapley. The Strand was too narrow, said the speaker, and when there was something going on it was impossible to move. If he had his 'way the place to be fixed for the holding of meetings would be on the top of HilKcrest. He ad- , mitred the Mayor of Wellington for i the stand that gentleman had taken. "These pacifists,said the Councillor, getting a wee bit off the track, "make my blood curdle, and if any come to Whakatane I will be in the front line and assist to put them into the sea. We are fighting for our liberty." At this stage His Worship observed that the body holding meetings at present, and to which the complaints referred, was not dissembling Communistic or Pacifistic propaganda. "And as far as freedom of speech goes, I have allowed Cr Shapley t>o speak four times to the motion, said the Mayor, and this sally drew smiles. (Continued foot next column).

Continuing, the Mayor, said that if lie suspected a meeting was to be held for Communistic purposes he would not wait to sec whether the Council would grant permission or not. He would stop it instantly. Further, the Strand was congested enough on Friday nights find the Council really should have authority. If the Council fixed a definite place it might regret it later because different conditions might exist and it would be better to leave it elastic. The motion was carried.