NOISY MEETING AT AUCKLAND

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26510, 27 August 1951, Page 6

NOISY MEETING AT AUCKLAND

“A WARNING AND A CHALLENGE” MR HOLLAND’S COMMENTS (New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, August 25. Commenting on the noisy background to the meeting he addressed m the Auckland Town Hail last evening, the i-rime Minister (Mr Holland' said to-day: “The meeting put its finger rignt on the real issue of this the rule of law and the rule of fair play to survive, or is intimidation and mob rule to have sway?” Mr Holland stated that he never had any doubt that “the most determined efforts would be made to try to cow me and my colleagues, like Mr Sullivan. The day has come for someone to champion the rights—and the cause—of the ordinary peace-loving, law-aMding citizen in every walk of life, and I am proud that the lot to do so has fallen to my colleagues and myself.” . “The people,” he said, “will speak for decency against the evil antisocial elements in this critical hour in our history. Such a meeting as last night's gives the clearest indication of what the ordinary man or woman is up against if he dares to try and state a case against those who think they can dominate and intimidate people. The Government has taken up that challenge, and must, and will, win. “I have been nearly from one end of New Zealand to the other already in this election, and have never seen such enthusiasm. The people are getting behind the Government in this struggle to hold all that has been best in our freedom-loving society. They have got their backs into the task. “Every citizen must realise that democracy can survive only if we individually and collectively declare our v/illingness and determination not only to vote for, but to work for the preservation of our way of life. "Last night’s meeting and the determined effort to destroy free speech is. not only a warning to us all, but is a challenge which no one who loves our country and our British way cf life can ignore.”