WORKERS’ DEMAND

Hokitika Guardian, 29 November 1933, Page 6

WORKERS’ DEMAND

FOR FREEDOM OF SPEECH.

DEPUTATION TO MINISTER

(Par Press Association — Copyright.)

WELLINGTON, November 29

Freedom of speech and assemblage, the removal of the ban on working class literature, and the release ot all prisoners imprisoned for oilence s arising out of working class activities were among the requests to the Hon. J. G. Cob he (Minister of Justice), by a deputation from the National Unemployment Workers’ Movement. A complaint was made by Mr L. Sim of the action of the police in preventing a meeting at Palmerston North, after permission had been given for the workers’ assemblage to he held. In regard to a specific case, that of oiie, Ivan Tomasevic, a, speaker, in the course of the representations, said: “We demand the right ot trial by a jury.” Mr Cobbe asked: “Why us o that expression ‘we demand’ ? Can’t you make out a decent case by argument?” Mr Sim said: “J demand freedom of speech on behalf of all working classos.**

Air Cobbe: “You are certainly enjoying it nowe.” He added that freedom of speech was capable of a wide interpretation, and some people"'regarded'- it- as” a-.means of inciting others to violence.

Replying, tp the' representations Mr Cobbe said lie had arranged for a meeting place to' be'provided in Palmerston ;Nort,h, hilt' the workers wanted, jto hold a procession in the Square, and interfere with business. Mr Cobbe recalled what happened in Auckland and Wellington, and said: “We are not going to have that .sort of thing again. It’s no good you talking about tho police being a source of trouble. They carry out their duties fairly and well, and they don’t take action unless the people interfere with the freedom of others.”