PACIFIST MEETING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 January 1940, Page 7

PACIFIST MEETING

BROKEN UP IN DISORDER IN CHRISTCHURCH THREATS TO THROW SPEAKERS IN RIVER. ATTITUDE OF THE R.S.A. (By Telegraph—Press Asociation.) CHRISTCHURCH. This Day. When a pacifist meeting in Victoria Square broke up in disorder last night, the chairman, the Rev I. N. Taylor, against whom threats were made, as also they were against, another speaker, to "chuck him in the river.” had to be escorted away by a police sergeant and two constables. "In the name of peace. 1 had belter go home," remarked Mr Taylor, in a voice of despair, when a continuance of the meeting on the pavement looked likely. The reason for the disturbance of the meeting was given by a man who said to Mr Taylor: "Why not keep quiet till the First. Second and Third Echelons are away? Then we will give you a fair go."

This man. who wore the badge of the Returned Soldiers' Association, said the association had no political feeling, but many of its members objected to pacifists holding meetings. Only those in the inner circle at the open air meeting were able to hear the first three of four announced speakers. The fourth speaker was not heard because the meeting was abandoned in uproar. Members of the public who were more than five yards from the speakers heard nothing but a clamour of arguments in the groups about them. From the opening remarks of Mr Taylor interruptions were incessant. The speakers were unable to make themselves heard and the attention of the mass of the crowd was diverted by the cross arguments which developed among men, women and youths.