IRISH BLUE SHIRTS

Hokitika Guardian, 26 August 1933, Page 5

IRISH BLUE SHIRTS

GOVERNMENT BAN WATERFORD MEETING FAILS. (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyrigh V). DUBLIN, August 24. General O’Duffy had an engagement to address the National Guam Association at the Waterford Town Hall. This was abandoned after the Governnien© proclaimed the meeting as illegal. Two hundred of the Civic Guards (police; occupied the hall prior to the arrival of General O’Duff'y, who conferred with the police superintendent, and announced that the meeting could not be held. Blue Shirt supporters had contended that this association, as being an auxiliary of the National Guard, was excluded from the ban. The Government announced that associate membership of the National Guard was included in the ban and therefore activities on the part of women’s or youths’ branches would be illegal. General O’Duffy, from the steps of the Waterford Hotel, announced the abandonment of the meeting. He was greeted with cheers j

Both sections of the crowd attacked a man who is believed to be a . member of tho National Guard. Tho police drow their batons, however, and disarmed several men who had sticks concealed under their coats, General O’Duffy decided to stay the night. He intends to proceed to other meetings arranged for Friday and Saturdav. \

Tliere was an angry scene at a Limerick corporation meeting over a proposal that a civic welcome be extended to Mr de Valera when lie visits the city on August 27. One councillor protested that Mr de Valera “had the impudence to come to Limerick at a time when he was applying a coercion acp xo a section of people.” On the Lord Mayor’s suggestion the proposal was withdrawn.