DEMONSTRATION BY STUDENTS

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25250, 31 July 1947, Page 6

DEMONSTRATION BY STUDENTS

SYMPATHISERS WITH INDONESIA ORDERLY PROCESSION From Our Own Reporter WELLINGTON, July 30. Squads of uniformed police, police cars, andieven a "Black Maria” were at the demonstration of university students outside the Netherlands Legation in Wellington to-day. It was the first organised protest in New Zealand against the Dutch action in Indonesia. Although occasional tense incidents occurred—for instance when the police forcibly took two of the banners carried in the parade from the hands of demonstrators—nothing more serious occurred than a mild dislocation of traffic in Lambton quay and Panama street and a chorus of boos, catcalls, and countings out outside the legation. The demonstration was not confined to students. In response to an appeal for support, many watersiders marched with lhem and there were others who were not students in the ranks. The police were busy with notebooks taking names, but it is not known yiet whether any prosecutions will follow.

Demonstration Outside Legation In the actual possession there were about 200 marchers. One wore a graduate’s gown and many carried placards. The procession was halted by the police several times but it kept moving on and finally crowded in a tight and vocal mass outside the legation. the staff of which watched, apparently with interest and some amusement, the demonstration below. Pamphlets were issued to the watching crowd before the procession began. A few were confiscated by the police, who took the name of one of those who were issuing them. The marchers were determined, it seemed, to avoid trouble and beyond counting out a police sergeant they avoided giving provocation. No attempt was made at any time to enter the legation. As well as placards bearing a variety of legends, such as “Stop this Bloodshed,” the procession carried a New Zealand ensign and the Indonesian flag.

Procession Disperses Throughout the wHble 40 minutes of the demonstration there seemed no risk of any serious disorder such as occurred in Sydney. The procession finally dispersed with the only cargo in the police van the two impounded banners. The size of the demonstration and the trouble that had apparently been taken in its careful organisation were a surprise to many Wellington people. The Socialist Club at Victoria University College has been credited with making arrangements for the demonstration, any share in which has been disclaimed by the Students’ Association and the Students’ Christian Movement