ROWDY MEETING FOR MR FRASER.

Chronicle (Levin), 20 July 1949, Page 7

ROWDY MEETING FOR MR FRASER.

Press Assoctationi

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AUCKLAND, July 19 Organised pandemonium effectiveiy ruined the Prime Minister's Town Hall meeting in support of compulsory military training tonight. Mr. Fraser aua five other speakers tried for nearly two hours to advaiice their arguments in face of obviously planned opposition from shrewdly placed nests of opponents. They included many identiiiea Communists. Three men wvere removed protesting, by the police from the noisest meeting held in the Town Hall since the 193b election .canipaign. Many others were warned and scores oi uniformed conBtahles and detectives In' civilian clothes were prepared- 'f or intervention. They were led by tne Suprintendent oi Police, Mf. S. G. Hall. Although the rowdy opponents of the scheme were in the minority numericaily, they were out in sufficient force to spoil every speech but one.; The speakers, shouting into- microphones, coula scarcely be heard and it was. impossibie to follow most of their : arguments. However, Mr. L. P. Leary, who maae his principal baiters look sitddenly stapid by telling them that he couia make even men like them good soldiers, was alone able to complete what he haa to say. A resolution supporting compulsory military training, although noisFy cpposed, was carried by a two-third's majority.