MILITANT WOMEN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 221, 18 September 1930, Page 14

MILITANT WOMEN.

ROWDY SYDNEY' MEETING.

STATE GOVERNOR HOOTED. CABINET MINISTER BOMBARDED. (From Our Own Correspondent.) SYDNEY, September .12.. Wild scenes prevailed at a meeting in Syd'aey Town Hall this week, when a public meeting was called to discuss means of alleviating distress and unemployment among women workers of the city.- The State Governor, Sir Phillip Game, and other speakers were "counted out" and hooted by a section of the audience, led by a block of supporters of the Women's Militant Minority, an organisation which played a big part in the recent coal trouble in the north>

! The meeting was called by the Lord Mayor, Alderman E. S. Marks, in consequence of several deputations to the Government, stressing the fact that, although a considerable amount of for unemployed men, no consideration money had been allocated for relief work had been given to unemployment among women. An advisory committee - was formed by the Government to investigate the question and recommend means whereby the out of work women could be assisted.

The National Cou'ncil of Women and other feminist organisations asked that suggestions be given at the meeting.

When the Governor rose to. open the meeting, a section of the audience hooted him and sang "The Eed Flag," and stood on the chairs of the Town Hall. One woman waved a red coat and shouted, "How would you like to vvork for fifteen bob a week?"

Finally .the meeting was calmed, only to break out again when Mr. E. H. Farrer, M.L.C., Minister of Labour and Industry, stood up to address the gathering. He. was pelted with "throw-do ;vns" and rolied-up papers, and could make no headway with his remarks. "You are lowering our standard of living." "You are in league with the London mo'neylenders" were some of • the remarks hurled at him. Police were called in, and five of the militant women were removed from the hall.

. Further disturbances occurred during the • afternoon;- and when a suggestion was made'that those who could manage it should engage unemployed women as domestics, there were shouts of "Don't think you'll, get tis to work, our hands raw for a starvation wage" and We don't want your charity." The' meeting eventually broke up in disorder, the rowdy element leaving the hall in a body, singing "The Red Hag and "Solidarity for Ever." They fathered outside" the hall and hooted ■those who left in cars. A force of police was required to disperse them.