FREE SPEECH

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 124, 7 March 1935, Page 3

FREE SPEECH

CLAIM BY DEPUTATION. ALLEGATIONS IN WELLINGTON. i & (Per Press Association). WELLINGTON, March 6. The statement that there was 1 no desire on the part of the Government to restrict free speech, provided the speeches were made in a proper manner, was made by the Hon. J. G. Cobbe (Minister of Justice) replying to a deputation which asked that the sentences imposed as a result of street speeches in Auckland last July should be reviewed. He did uot know of anj objection provided meetings were held where ’ traffic was not obstructed and the freedom of 1 people engaged in legitimate business was not interfiled with. . 1 The deputation was introduced by Mr W. E. Parry, ALP., who stated that the Free Speech Council was representative of all walks of life and was a non-political body. The' Minister ‘skid he understood there were places in Auckland wheie people could' gather and speak. The Government did not wish to curtail freedom of speech. Mr H. M. Smith, a delegate from tuts Auckland Free Speech Council, said that sites should be made available foi meetings where there would: be no> obstruction of traffic. The Minister: Is not that the position at present? Mr Smith said that; sites had been given, but only as a result of representations made in response to public opinion. The Minister: Still you have places now. Mr Smith said the fact tnat there now was a right to speak should demonstrate to the Alinister that the sentences imposed had been harsh. I hey had been actuated by political motives, “Absolutely Incorrect.” The Alinister: That is absolutely incorrect. You stick to the tiuth. Dealing with his own case Air Smith said that he had been batoned by the police in the fire station. The Alinister: You can’t expect me to believe that. It’s no use you coming here now and saying that policemen battered you about. Mr Smith said that the policemen stopped only as the result ol remaiks made by the firemen. The Minister: What were the sentences on you? Three months’ hard labour?

Air Smith: That’s true. The Alinister: Two years’ probation, and you had to stay in at nights? , Mr Smith: Including six months curfew. . The Minister: Did the police look very closely into the curfew?. Did anybody try to make you stay in? Air Smith: I don’t think they would bo so foolish. The Minister: Was any attempt made to keep you in your horse at night? Air Smith: I don’t know, but it s on my probation papers. The Alinister: You have nothing to complain about. Ah* .Smith: I have. The Alinister: That you are being kept in? .. Air Smith: It is there. The others can be picked up at any time on other charges. , . , The Alinister: So long as they behave nobodv will interfere. Mr Smith: Yes. According to lmw V ou administer the law in the interests of the capitalist classes of the countrv., Mr C. Smith, representing the Wellington Seamen’s Union, said that it seemed ridiculous that a man should, be given a sentence for a right winch the City Council now allowed.

An Allegation. Air AL Ormerod,* representing the Communist Party of New Zealand, contended that the restrictions we e part of the* Governments action m suppressing the working class ment. “A week ago I was m the Wellington Central Station, taking out a short term for a fine, and a police officer came in and used disgusting and very provocative language against me,” he said. “He was trying to provoke me into trying to hit him to give him an opportunity to beat me up. Mr AVohlinann (Commissioner ot Police): Have you made any comOrmerod: No. I was transferred to*the padded cell.- That’s a question that needs investigation. Mr Parry, M.P. *. In the Wellington Central Police Station? Air Ormerod: A week last Friday 1 was locked there till 1 was taken out to Alount Crawford. . The Alinister: There is no_ good m talking nonsense. You can t expect me to believe that the police-treat any man in that manner. We don’t stand for anybody being treated unfairly by the police. Air Ormerod: It’s a common practice of the police to do that. Air Wold maim: Did you complain to any prison officials or to any Justice when you came out? The Alinister said he understood that the portion of the sentence requiring H. Al. Smith to be at home by 7 p.m. had nearly expired. It was a difficult matter to interfere with a probationary sentence, but if representations were made after half the term bad expired be would consider the case. Expulsion Denied. Alt* AVohlinann (to Mr ■Smith): You claim to represent the" working class of New Zealand, and that when the offences occurred you were representing the Seamen’s Union. 1 am informed that you have been expelled from the Seamen’s Union because you caused disruption, and that von and others do not represent the working class at all. A'ou claim that you have been punished for breaking a by-law. AWn have been punished for inciting, obstructing the police and other matters under*the Police Offences Act The allegations made against the police have not been substantiated by any evidence. You had opportunities to make official complaints. Air Ormerod lias made a statement, and I will be glad, if be is prepared to make a statutory declaration before a. Justice to inquire into it.

Air H. AL Smith said it was untrue that lie was expelled as a member of the Seamen’s Union and that lie caused disruption. “I attended a meeting of the Seamen’s Union yesterday morning,” lie said. All* AVohlinann: You are not a member of the Seamen’s Union now. All- Smith: I am a member of the Seamen’s Union.