Disruption deplored

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33069, 9 November 1972, Page 1

Disruption deplored

Organised disruption of election meetings was distasteful to members of the Labour Party in Christchurch, said the chairman of the Christchurch Labour Representation Committee (Mr C. G. J. Shamy) last evening. Mr Shamy was commenting on reports which suggested that disruption at recent election meetings had been organised, and had affected candidates from several parties. “While reasonable, pertinent interjection at political meetings during the election campaign is both stimulating and a recognised part of the democratic process, the Labour Party in Christchurch views with distaste reports of organised disruption at the meetings of candidates of the Labour Party or any other party,” Mr Shamy said.

“I suggest that the motives of these organised disruptive groups, whoever they may be, is self-interest,” he said. Mr Shamy was the chairman last evening of an election meeting at the North Beach School for Mrs M. D. Batchelor, the party’s candidate for the Avon electorate, at which Mr E. E. Isbey, the member of Parliament for Grey Lynn, was guest speaker.