WORKERS IN WAR.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 127, 30 May 1940, Page 14

WORKERS IN WAR.

CONSCRIPTION ISSUE. AN UPROARIOUS MEETING. SPEAKERS RUN GAUNTLET. Uproar marked the opening of a protest meeting against the introduction of conscription and revision of working conditions held by the Labourers' Eights Emergency Committee in the Star Theatre, Newton, last evening. The fun began when a group of territorials from one of the Auckland batteries, led by a bombardier, marched to the platform, and when the speakers of the evening attempted to address the meeting, the leader urged the audience to sing. When he called for the National Anthem there was stamping of feet, whistling, cheering and booing in all parts of the theatre, but several in the audience joined in the singing.

Appeals by the chairman, Mr. R. Armstrong, to the territorials to sit down and not interrupt were ignored, and the uproar continued until an appeal by a police sergeant resulted in an improvement in conditions. The addresses of half a dozen speakers were liberally punctuated by interruptions, and were delivered only by shouting into a microphone.

They were a general condemnation of revision of working conditions to meet the needs of the war, opposition to the formation of a Coalition Government, of a War Cabinet, and attacks on the Government, which was described as Fascist, as "lackeys" of the British Government, and unsympathetic towards the workers. One speaker contended that an extension of working hours was unnecessary and would increase unemployment and that the difficulties in the factories were due to insufficient machinery. The addresses were entirely devoted to destructive criticism and no constructive proposals were advanced to meet with the crisis.

At the conclusion a resolution was carried protesting against conscription and against any interference with the 40-thour week or the standard of living of the workers. The speakers were Mr. J. Barnes, a Mount Albert Borough Council member, Mr. T. Stanley, secretary of the General Labourers' Union, Mr. L. G. Matthews, secretary of the Drivers' Union, Mr. W. T. G. Airev, lecturer in History- at the Auckland University College, Mrs. A. Lapthorne, of the United Women's movement, and Mr. R. Stanley, of the Carpenters' Union.