Addressing The Public In A Street

Chronicle (Levin), 4 November 1948, Page 4

Addressing The Public In A Street

If a person wishes, tQ address the public in a street has the local 'body any right.'to stop him? '\'v ; Cr. A. J.. H. Allen asked this question at a meeting of . th"B Levin Borough Council this weeR* The answer was given by the toWh cierk, Mr. H. L. Jenkins, who said that Sergeant'W- Grainger, of the Levin Pofice, had stated that 'no one had that right unless an application -was made and the site from where t'he person wished! to speak had the approval of the police and the locai body. *

The subject arose following a letter from the Queen and Oxford Street Gospel Hall Asseniblies, applying for permission tx> cortduct open-air services in Levin on Frbday nights between 7.39 and-' 8 p.m. It was stated by the. town. clerk that the organisation desired to have a site outside the public library in Oxford Street. / It was pointed out that the . site, being- on the main road and 'having much through traffic, wopid not be favourable. It was suggested that Queen Street, near Kingsway's shop, would be a - better position, but this was opposed by Cr. F. D. Chainey, who said that shopkeepers should be considere'd.. "Religion should be conducted' -at a church on a Sunday," he maintained. . V "We have no right to dictate-. '«) anyone," said the Mayor, Mr. H; B. Burdekin. "People have a right- to ^ do what they thirik is right;" ' he added. ! • "Do we ban them all. Do we stop the Salvation Army?" asked Cr. R. A. Frederikson. ' '' • . i Mr. Jenkins said he understood that at one time the Salvation Army had conducted services iii Oxford Street, but he did hOt know if they still did. , After further discussion it Was decided to allow a site which h#d the approval of the police and thC town clerk. • - -