3000 Aucklanders In Protest March

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31770, 29 August 1968, Page 20

3000 Aucklanders In Protest March

(New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND, August 28. The march of Aucklanders today against Russian intervention in Czechoslovakia became a protest against all intervention.

Headed by churchmen and local body leaders, the marchers numbered up to 3000, and the column straggled over a quarter mile.

Thousands more, many of them schoolchildren and their mothers, lined Queen Street to watch.

But it was silent protest. There were no cheers, and no jeers. The marchers talked quietly among themselves. Those on the footpaths and crowding across the roadway watched impassively. The march began at 12.15 p.m. and was led by the Mayor of Auckland (Dr R. G. McElroy). It included other local body leaders. The mayoral group was followed by a large party of European migrants to New Zealand protesting against Russian aggression. Other marchers were mainly university students and staff, trade unionists, and members of the Auckland Council on Vietnam. A Communist Party group condemned “United States aggression and Soviet revisionism.” Czech Flags Many of the marchers carried Czech flags. Most placards protested at intervention in both Czechoslovakia and Vietnam. A seven-year-old girl, Nicki Chvastek, wore a Czech national costume which her mother. Mrs E. Chvastek, said was authentic. It was sent from Czechoslovakia by Nicki’s grandparents. However, there were few banners on the French nuclear tests in the South Pacific. Some of the banners read: “Hungary 1956, Czechoslovakia 1968, who next. Communism out;” “Remember the Balkan States;” “Yanks

out of Vietnam. Russians out of Czechoslovakia.” Immediately behind was another: “Russian excuses as weak as American in Vietnam.” Trade Unionists Many of those marching were trade unionists. Some of those walking were mothers and grandmothers. Children were carried on their fathers’ shoulders. The Mayor of New Lynn, Mr J. R. McCorquindale, said: “I am overwhelmed by the numbers which have turned out today, but I am not surprised. “It demonstrates forcibly the depth of feeling among us for the gallant Czech people. It was because this feeling was very apparent that I was moved to suggest this demonstration. “While some of you have also taken the opportunity to protest against other issues and, while I would defend your right to do so, nevertheless I must make it very clear again that the sole purpose of this demonstration is to protest at recent events in Czechoslovakia. ‘Practical Support’ “It is on this issue alone that civic leaders have been prepared to take part.” Mr McCorquindale said that regardless of the resolutions that would be passed, he felt the most effective method of communicating the city’s feelings of the Czech nation was through the many Czech nationals and New Zealanders of Czech descent now living in New Zealand. “By parading with them to-

day we have demonstrated in the most practical way our respect for their country, support for their cause and admiration for their courage,” he said.

Dr McElroy said that regardless of polities, race, creed or colour, the gathering had assembled because “we feel deeply on a matter of principle— a matter which is in violation of those human rights incorporated in the United Nations Charter and subscribed to by all member States.

“By a crowning irony this is happening in the year proclaimed as Human Rights Year.

"It is appalling that the powerful military forces of its neighbour should occupy a small country and coerce its people merely because they do not like the way its people think.” He put the following motions to be communicated immediately through the Government of New Zealand to the Governments of the U.S.S.R and Czechoslovakia and to the Secretary-General of the Unite! Nations.

“No. I—That this assembly of New Zealand citizens appeals to the Government of the U.S.S.R. to withdraw immediately from Czechoslovakia these military forces now occupying it “No. 2—That this assembly express its profound sympathy with the Czech people and its admiration for their courage and proclaim its wholehearted support for their efforts to establish and maintain the rights guaranteed to them in the United Nations Charter

and the Declaration of Human Rights. “No. 3—That the SecretaryGeneral of the United Nations be urged to take all steps possible to ensure observance of the United Nations Charter.

Only two anti-French banners were displayed. One read, “Oppose French tests,” and the other “De Gaulle, dron bombs on Moscow.”

The gathering outside the city administration building was orderly.

Loud Cheers

When Mr McCorquindale said that the sole purpose of the demonstration was to protest against the invasion of Czechoslovakia there were loud cheers from the crowd. A woman called out: “Where were you on Hiroshima day?” When Dr McElroy began speaking, she continued to interject “What about Vietnam?" through his short speech. After Dr McElroy put each of the three resolutions there was a deafening chorus of “Ayes,” although the first was followed by four or five voices shouting “No.” Prayers for the Czech people were then offered by the chairman of the Auck-

land Methodist District (the Rev R. F. Clement) and the Roman Catholic Bishop of Auckland (Archbishop J. M. Liston). Mr McCorquindale called for three cheers for the Czech nation and then asked the crowd to disperse quietly.