Lawyers walk out on Kerr

Press, 6 August 1976, Page 5

Lawyers walk out on Kerr

XZI’A SvdiicX More than ‘_‘o solt< Hop* and barristers '>•*'• walked out of a luticheot t|as the Austraii. Governor-General <Su •John Kerr) was aliotit t< speak. Sit John and Ladv Ker were the guests of honour a the annual luncheon of th* Sxdnex University I av Graduates’ Association 01 Wednexla} The group of mainly younf lawyers, all members of th* association. rose from thei tables among the 150 guest: and walked form the room a Sir John began his speech Among the guests were th< Chief Justice of the Higl Court ot Australia (Sir Gai field Barwick) and th« Federal Attomev-Genera iMr Ellicott) and his wife A number of other tudgei also witnessed the walk out Sir John hesitated momen ■tarilv as the group left, thei (commented. "Those who ar< interested in tnv remarks wil (doubtless be interested t< stay.” Ehe remark was welcomei with a sustained burst of ap piause from the guests whr

remained at the luncheon. Sir John's 20«mnuw jspeech, on the law and legs [writing, was completely non (political, and he made nr reference to the sacking las [year of the Labour Govern tn ent. Amid stringent point 'security outside the hotel r small group of demonstrator* [carrying banners declarinj ‘Kerr—C.l.A. puppet'' an* "Traitor Kerr” welcomed th< walk-out group with cheer* and applause. One of the group. Mr Davit Flint, a solicitor, said, "W» are demonstrating about th* actions of the Governor Genera! on November 11. last year. ‘‘We see his actions ir* sacking Mr Whit lam'* Government as a gross mis use of his powers."