Curbs On Street Marches Deplored

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31764, 22 August 1968, Page 16

Curbs On Street Marches Deplored

A protest against the imposition of restrictions by the Christchurch City Council on demonstration marches was made by the North Canterbury district of the Methodist Church at its annual synod last evening.

The council on Monday evening announced that marches of any kind would not be permitted on the roadway during peak traffic hours. It also put restrictions on placards and the distribution of printed material.

The Rev. J. Dawson said that on Tuesday the synod defended the right of students to demonstrate by peaceful means, but this right was being infringed by the City Council.

“We do tend in the very necessary job of preserving order to stress it to the extent of endangering the right

;of the individual to free I speech. This seems to impose a severe restriction on the size and nature of demonstrations.

“What is the point in having a demonstration when there is not much traffic around and when there are not plenty of people to see it?” Mr Dawson asked. The City Council must be master in its own city, but it seemed to be tying its own hands by putting restrictions on demonstrations, he said.

The police had plenty of power already to take action if necessary. The restrictions obviously did not apply to all processions, otherwise Hay’s procession and the capping procession would not be allowed, said the Rev. K. Greening. The City Council was being given the right to decide what should be protested about and what should not, said the Rev. W. S. Dawson. This would lead to rebellion against restrictions, and trouble could ensue. The following motion was passed:—

“The synod respectfully urges the Christchurch City Council to give further consideration to its recent decision to impose severe restrictions upon the size and nature of demonstrations and street marches in the city. “The synod is of the opinion that the number taking part in demonstrations is an indication of the strength of public opinion on matters of social concern, and affirms that curtailment of the right to demonstrate peacefully and make views and controversial issues known by distributing printed matter and the unrestricted display of placards infringes on the rights of citizens to make their views public.” The synod agreed to write to the council giving the text of the motion and expressing its willingness to discuss the matter.