UNEMPLOYED DEMONSTRATORS

Hokitika Guardian, 13 September 1930, Page 5

UNEMPLOYED DEMONSTRATORS

(Bv Telegraph—Press Association).

AUCKLAND, Sept. 12

A ..sequel to the .- t .demonstration against - the Prime Minister (Mr Forbes) as he left Auckland, . waß hearcl at the Police Court, when three men, Phillip Gordon Brazier, George Budcl, 'fuui Vviliiam Murphy, were charged With disorderly behaviour, i A constable bn wharf duty said that I as’ Mr Forbes ‘ was being farewelled iii the wharf shed, witness saw a large crowd' walking toward 'the gangway, headed by the three defendants. Murphy was carrying a banner inscribed: '“One Big Union of Unemployed atui .Casual "Workers.” Murphy mounted a box and started to address,tiio crowd'..wlio rushed the hmrriqr, iWld, Murphy, and ‘Brazier Were' then, ejected, whereupon Murphy began to make a speech, He desisted when it was pointed out he was breaking the by-laws.' Murphy told witness and others jti the crowd that tliey had not the pluck to rush the barrier. 1 Someone called for three hoots foi 5 ' Mr Forbes, and the crowd booed loudly. Brazier said that lie was willing to pull Air Forbes off the Aorangi if others were. Detective Holder flaid one of the three suggested to the crowd that they interview the Aorangi’s crew and trv t,o stop the ship. All three were members of die Communist Party. Brazier, in a statement, denied inciting the crowd. He said that realising unemployment was rife in Auckland, he wanted to see Air Forbes. The Magistrate said he would convict tlie defendants, hut not punish them.

“You are entitled to hold a meeting in public, but not 011 Ike wharf "hen a ship is sailing,” he said. It is a dangerous place to demonstrate. It is likely to lead to trouble, or even riot.

Defendants were ordered to appear for sentence if called upon.