“START A RIOT”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 920, 13 March 1930, Page 8

“START A RIOT”

AMMUNITION DUMP AT NARROW NECK COUNCIL IS CONCERNED Some members of the Devonport Borough Council are quite willing to assist in starting a riot if it will have any effect in moving the ammunition dump from Narrow Neck. A chance remark at the council’s meeting? last evening started a lively discussion on the dump. The council has tried vainly, on several occasions, to induce the Government to cease storing large quantities of ammunition in the borough on laud which is worth between £140,000 and £1 50.000. One member of the council gave an amusing description of a tour of inspection he had made of the dump in company with the Minister of Defence. Air. F. T. Eyre started the discussion by asking if any more had been heard of the suggestion for a conference “v.itli some high official or other,” about moving the ammunition dump at Narrow Neck. Air. J. Hislop. Acting-Alayor. remarked that he and the Alayor, Air. E. Aldridge, had conferred with Commander Blake, R.N., on the subject and the Mayor subsequently had interviewed the then Minister of Defence, Air. T. M. Wilford, but lie had since gone off to London without considering tho borough’s request. The Mayor had interviewed the Prime Minister as well, and had been promised a full personal investigation; but unfortunately Sir Joseph Ward had been ill for months. The Navy, apparently. was not greatly concerned over the agitation and though there was quite a rumpus in the House last session, particularly by the Labour members, Parliament had voted .£12,000 for additional racks for storing more shells at Narrow Neck. ALL MATCHES TAKEN Air. Hislop gave a humorous description of an inspection of the magazine, when he accompanied the Minister of Defence and the Alayor. "We were dressed up like Teddy Bears,” ho said. "Aly cigarette lighter was taken from me; the Alinister had all his matches taken from him and wo were Supplied with gUm boots. When we approached; the shells >ve were cautioned to wafk carefully. "And even in the face of that, the naval official declared that .there was risk of explosion,” added Air. Hislop, who went on to say that since that date the newspapers had reported explosions at two ammunition dumps in Europe. Air. G. Falla: If we start up a scare we will have to supply sleeping draughts to half the people! Mr. C. M. Browne: If we can get a petition from ail the people it might be some use. The only way to get the Government authorities to take notice would be to start a riot. Air. Eyre: I am prepared to help : Jn starting a riot. Can’t we write a letter to some department? I am prepared to —— ATr. Cassells-Brown: Start the riot? ter). Air. Eyre: I am willing to be thefirst to sign the petition. Air. T. \Valsh: The Government will stand by its officials in maintaining that, there is no risk of explosion, but it would probably listen to the argument that £40,000 and £50.000 worth of land is being wasted. The; sale of the land would provide . money to equip a proper dump somewhere else and release a valuable residential area.’ ACr. Hislop: It is the most wicked and wanton waste of good land in New Zealand. Probably an election time is the most opportune to push the w'a tter. Air. C. At. Browne: Unless' you get a Labour Government you are not likely to shift the dump. Cr. Eyre: 1 am willing to help to eh et one. Air. Hislop: is outside municipal concern, but the matter will not be allowed to die.