STRONG CRITICISM OF N.S.W. PREMIER

Chronicle (Levin), 21 March 1947, Page 7

STRONG CRITICISM OF N.S.W. PREMIER

Received Thursday, 7.30 p.m. BYDNEY, March 20. Last night 54 uuiformed iiolice and detectives were present at the Chatswood Tovvn Hail when Mr. Darby addressed a meeting to protest against the lioldup of food suppiies. He spoke for half an liour with only one liostiie interjeetion. A Communist gang wliieh was expected did not aiipear. The police are attending a meeting of University Liborals today. Tliq Communists threaten. tq break up a 'irieeting which the (SfatC:;iOp^osition parfies intend to liold. ,pi tjie SydU.ey Tow.il- Hall tomorrow aft^rntibil; .to;| protest aga.inst (jqnimupist basiher tactics. The watersiders are niakiiig ■ arrangemen'ts for holdihg a mass meeting in the Domain on Sunday at whicli oiiicers will address the rank and flle. Premier McGirr, vvlio said earlier that Mr. Darby 's action in calling the meeting in the Domain was an incitement to 1110b violence, stated that he had

been reliably informed that a Liberal member had approached the shipping companies and asked for permission to unload cargo by voiunteer labour. The companies had refused unless the Stevedoring Industry (Jommission aud the Watersider Workers Federation approved. " It seems obvious,,; said Mr. McGirr, ' ' that the activity was ins£jire(J not by any real desire to get food to the people of New South Wales but to (j'rejate a diversion in their own favour on the eve of the election. " He re£iiKdd tp discuss the possibility of volun'tder "labour havijig police support. :,.This! morning .thp Sydney Telegraph tlbntihUntly ;attack's Mr. McGirr 's attitude. ' ' This is like saying tiiat a crimmal is not the man-who conimits-murder but the inan vvho is •^lurdered,',' comments the Telegraph in referencp • td niob violence.; ; Mr. McGirr. will • have to think-iip better;Oiie if he Waiit§ t.o eonvincej the publi/c that he is not just scared stitf by the comrades. His State uients on the issue have been timorous and evasive tlirougliout. If anybody is inciting hoodlums and yahoos to a breach of order it is the Premier."