CHURCHILL FACES HECKLERS

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24610, 5 July 1945, Page 5

CHURCHILL FACES HECKLERS

Audience Of 20,000 At Walthamstow “EVERYONE FREE TO CHEER OR BOO” (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, July 3. ■ Mr Churchill addressed one of the most tumultuous meetings of his career when 20.000 persons gave him a mixed reception of dicers and boos at the Walthamstow Stadium this evening. Mr Churchill arrived accompanied by Mrs Churchill and half a dozen plain clothes detectives. Interruptions and counter cheers began immediately he started to speak, causing him to comment: “This is a peculiar gathering in which both sides are taking part.” After saying that everyone was free to cheer or boo as he leased, he added: “But it is a serious question if interruptions are made with the intention of stopping free speech. Anyone who interrupts in an organised manner at a great public gathering is guilty of the very crime which our soldiers swept away from Europe by fire and sword.” Mr Churchill went on to congratulate Londoners for their composure throughout the war, adding that one out of every 130 of them had been killed, either by going abroad to fight or remaining home to be bombed.

The greatest outburst of catcalls and interruptions occurred when Mi Churchill, after saying, that his immediate aim was to finish the Japanese war, added: “Then we must build the homes shattered by the enemy ann make up for the loss of six years building which the war entailed. This was the signal for interjections throughout the stadium, after which Mr Churchill was heard to say: Before the war we built 350,000 houses in one year.” After renewed uproar he continued: “Look out! Hold on to your chairs! This is one you won t like—private enterprise built twothirds of those houses. Have a good boo about that. If you want to know why we have not repaired or rebuilt the war-shattered houses you must ask Mr Attlee, Mr Bevin, and that great. Londoner, Mr Herbert Morrison. Pandemonium followed this, and when quiet had been restored Mr Churchill added; “Because, if we 1 are blameworthy, they are blameworthy. the ensuing uproar Mr Churchill, who appeared to be bn]oying himself, said: “Another two minutes will be allowed for booing if you like” The audience took full advantage'of the offer, a large section breaking into an organised chant of We want Labour." Mr Churchill, when he succeeded in ni3kin£ himself heard, added everything in human power would be done to get houses built. This brought renewed interjections, whereupon he walked in the direction from which the noise was coming with his arms outstretched, and urged them: “Come on. Get it off your chest.” The crowd took up the challenge. “Warning to British People” • After outlining the Conservatives' four-year plan, under continual interruption, Mr Churchill declared; This exhibition to-night should be a great warning to the British people not. to vote for men whose mental confusion is such that they would not hesitate to cause civic disorders to prevent the exercise of the British right of free speech." . . • There was round after round of api plause when a Conservative candidate, in moving a vote of thanks to Mr Churchill, said: “It is m v duty to tell you that the majority of the audience are with you.” Mr Churchill, replying, said: “I give my entire forgiveness to the booers. I am sure that they are going to get a thrashing such as their party has not received since it was born.” Thousands outside the stadium cheered when Mr Churchill emerged to embark on his tour of north and east London. Mr Churchill, standing upright in the back seat of his car with a freshly-lit cigar in his mouth at a challenging angle, acknowledged the reception by making the V-sign. Mr Churchill’s mixed reception continued on his drive home to Whitehall. Large crowds on the route through east#and north London heard him make several impromptu speeches, all of which received a very mixed reception. The crowds at no stage reached the eize of those which greeted him in the west of London on Monday. There was much booing, but generally jhe reception was favourable. Support for Fascists Denied Mr Churchill has authorised a statement denying that the Conservative Party is fostering the regrowth of the Fascist Party. “Organs of the Socialist press approached former Fascists and tried to get statements from them pinning the blame for shielding them on to the Conservatives,” says the statement. “Socialist newspapermen were the only people throughout the country who made contact with these people, who, no doubt, were very glad to find anybody willing to talk to them.” “The most talked-of election campaign developed among the general public is Mr Churchill’s three-stage tour of London,” says the Associated Press. “Labour campaigners, in an effort to offset the undeniable enthusiasm with which Mr Churchill is being greeted, have planted loud-speakers at many points on his route and harangued the crowds with denunciations of the emergence of the ‘Fuehrer’ principle in British public life. Labour speakers throughout the country increasingly emphasise that war-winning Is not a one-man job.” LABOUR PARTY’S POLICY LONDON, July 3. Mr Ernest Bevin. speaking to-night on the foreign policy which the Labour Party would adopt if elected, said that the present British foreign policy had been formed by the Coalition Government. It was what the Labour Party had advocated for years, and he hoped that it would be continued. Special attention should be given to the position of India, as this great country was the keystone to the peace of Asia. Mr Herbert Morrison, in a speech to-day, said (hat the Conservatives were not placing the real issues before the people. If the Conservatives were returned it would mean a. return to the old pre-war policy, disregarding the public interests and neglecting the organised planning of industry, _'a hegloct which had led before the war to deplorable social and economic conditions. Captain Mark Hewitson,'of London, who has been industrial officer of the Motional Union of General and Municipal Workers for 12 years, has been selected Labour candidate for Central Hull, in succession to the late member, Mr Walter Windsor. MANIFESTO ISSUED BY LIBERALS LONDON. July 3. The Liberal Party, in a manifesto. Bays that, although all the parties recognise that the war against the Japanese must be vigorously prosecuted to a successful conclusion, the Liberal Party is the only party that Is really united, "The party's policy is the only one that can overcome the social and economic evils that have beset the nation,” says the manifesto. “In the rebirth of the party as a force in politics lies the hope of the world.”