POLICY ON MARCHES

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31771, 30 August 1968, Page 12

POLICY ON MARCHES

Clarification Wanted

A review of the City Council’s street march policy will be sought by the Mayor (Sir George Manning), who yesterday agreed to take the matter back to the council.

A deputation from the Christchurch Labour Representation Committee asked for a clearer interpretation and definition of the council’s policy, announced at its recent meeting. Mr J. Mathison, M.P., who introduced the deputation, said that in a subsequent statements, the Deputy Mayor (Cr H. P. Smith) had appeared to introduce modifications of policy. The deputation asked the council to accept promises (from groups distributing liti erature that they would clean I up any resultant litter. I Objection was made to the I provision for an approved I person from the organisation to control assemblies and marches, the deputation considering that this was a job for the police. The ban on the use of Victoria Square, the deputation pointed out, would prevent the South African War Veterans* Association from making its annual assembly at the Queen Victoria statue. Points were also raised about the authority for the Town Clerk to approve of the wording of placards. The Mayor, in agreeing to reopen of the question, said he would put the deputation’s points before the council.