USE OP TOWN HALL

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2797, 15 June 1916, Page 3

USE OP TOWN HALL

TO DISCUSS CONSCRIPTION. ' Recently a deputation from the Labour Representation Committee waited upon the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) to protest against the use of the Town Hall being refused to trade unionists, who wished to hold a to discuss the Military Service Bill. Following upon the, deputation, the committee received the following letter from the Town Clerk (Mr. J. R. Palmer):— "Referring to the. deputation to his Worship the Mayor from youi council, this morning, asking for the use of the 'Town Hall upon, the usual terms, for the purpose of a conference to discuss the Military Service Bill now before Parliament, I am directed by his Worship the Mayor to inform you that there will be no objection to the use of the hall for a conference of representatives of Labour bodies allied to the Trades and Labour Council;'but it must be distinctly understood that the conference must not of the nature of a public meeting, nor be addressed by persons having no direct connection with New Zealand. Labour organisations. His Worship was given to understand by you that admission to the conference -would be governed by your council, by the issue of tickets;, this 1 coarse he approves. ''Upon being assured by you, on behalf of your council, in writing, that the above conditions aro agreed to, the hall may be engaged ;by you upon the Usual terms." .• • i The letter was considered by the Labour Representation Committee at a' meeting on Tuesday night, and the president (Mr. J. It. MlCenzie) was directed to reply in the following terms:— "I 1 beg to acknowledge receipt'of your letter of,7th inst., with reference-to the. use of the Town, Hall, and am instructed by the committee to state that'the conditions stipulated for by you are unacceptable to the committee. The committee particularly objects to the City Council stipulating who shall, or shall not, address a meeting of trades unionists, as it considers that, it is a matter for the meeting itself to decide, and it has always been. customary to receive properly accredited representatives from Labour bodies in' other countries. . "The committee also strongly protests against.the City Council according different treatment to Labour • organisations as compared with that " given to other sections of the community, ■or to individuals who may v.feh the use of the Town, Hall."''