PROTEST BY STUDENTS

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29165, 28 March 1960, Page 15

PROTEST BY STUDENTS

Mr Nash Joins In National Anthem A group of 100 students wearing biack arm bands and carrying placards denouncing the Rugby tour of South Africa lined the street outside the Municipal Electricity Department’s building on Saturday morning for the arrival of the Prime Minister (Mr Nash) at the conference of the United Nations Association of New Zealand. Because of the weather the planned protest march from the university was cancelled, and the students walked down the streets in small groups carrying their placards. A few members of the public joined the crowd, which was increased now and then by the flow of patrons to the T.A.B. in Manchester street.

Some of the placards said: “We are not all Craven’s cronies;” “Equality versus £.s.d.;” “No blood baths for students.” The latter placard was carried by a university lecturer, Mr P. J. Alley. Before Mr Nash’s arrival the students commented good humouredly on the arrival of some of the other visitors to the conference. The Mayor of Christchurch (Mr G. Manning) was greeted with a cheerful “Good morning. George.” and the Bishon of Christchurch (the Rev. A. K. Warren). “Here’s our best frontrow forward.”

As Mr Nash stepped out of his car the students began singing the National Anthem. Mr Nash stopped, raised his hat. and joined in the singing. After the Prime Minister had gone into the building, one student commented: “What can you do with a guy like that?” Three figures dressed in white hoods and robes distinguished the students from any normal group, except for a more than average sprinkling of beards and duffle coats. At the end of their singing the students dispersed quietly.