A NOISY SCENE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 130, 14 March 1935, Page 3

A NOISY SCENE

DEPUTATION TAKES CHARGE. UNEMPLOYED AND MINISTER. CSpecial to the "Guardian.'') WELLINGTON, March 13. When Sir Alexander Young had replied to a. deputation of unemployed, Mr Fraser, M.P., thanked the Unemployment Board for receiving the speakers and extending them such a lengthy hearing. But the deputation proceeded to take charge of the proceedings. Three of the unemployed simultaneously shouted their comment, "We are not satisfied. We came here to get a definite answer from the Board," they declared. "We are not going out of the room until we get some satisfaction," added another speaker. "The deputation is closed. You have been met in a constitutional manner," protested Sir Alexander Young, as he and members of the Board stood up to leave the room. One of the younger members of the deputation advanced to the table. "You have been met by women and met by men," he shouted, "and you will be met by youths, and forget that youths are more vigorous." "We are not intimidated by threats" retorted the Minister, who continued on his way toward the door.

A Shouting Group. The board found itself surrounded by a shouting group, which Mr Mc'Keen, M.P., endeavoured to silence. "Do you mean to tell me I am going back to Christchurch," said Mrs Penney "to tell the women and children you are doing nothing but promise to see to the matter. I These children are starving, but you and your children are not starving." The Minister: The Board is dealing with the matter, and you will get an answer. , Replying to other protests, whicJi were so numerous that their exact nature was difficult to ascertain in the babel of noise, the Minister, now near the door, sharply reminded the deputation that he had paid it the compliment of bringing the whole board to hear the representations, but it was a responsible administrative body. Its decisions would not be giyen on the spur of the moment. "Such a practice," he concluded, "would be a mistake and would soon ruin and wreck the country." . . , Another diversion was the ringing of the division bells in the House of Representatives. These called all legislators hurriedly into the chamber to vote on the third reading of the Mortgage Corporation Bill, but the deputation did not follow them out of the room.

"Don't Leave the Room." "Stay right here!" shouted Mr Omerod. "Don't leave the room." The deputation complied, and as two newspapermen also remained to complete their notes, they were left isolated near the door while members of the deputation took the seats vacated by the Unemployment Board and proceeded jocularly to pass resolutions "unanimously." Five minutes went by, the newspapermen completed their notes, but were warned not to open the door, /otherwise, it was explained, "the Johns will get in." This was a reference to a group of police who patientlv ,'waited outside in case of disorder. Someone in the corridor knocked persistently, and the voice of Mr Fraser M.P., was heard demanding to be let in He was allowed through the haltclosed door. The two newspapermen squeezed themselves out, to lind themselves surrounded by police. " As the committee-room contained nothing more satisfying than a water bottle, it was evident that the siege would not last long, though just when a spare key for the lock had been hurriedly obtained, the deputation voluntarily came out, and in due course quietly dispersed. The waiting hundreds had long ceased to concern themselves with the progress reports. Ihey bad all gone home.