MAYOR LEAVES

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 58, 2 December 1930, Page 13

MAYOR LEAVES

Persistent Interrupters MEETING DISTURBED *7 Mr. Archer & Unemployed Dominion Special Service. Christchurch, December 1. While an unemployment conference was being held in the City Council chambers this morning a crowd of about 150 unemployed men walked into the public gallery. The Mayor immediately informed the visitors that the conference was a private one, but the men still continued to come in. Mr. A. F. Marshall, the leader of the party, began to make a speech, but the conference concluded and the Mayor left the room. After some discussion outside the door four constables who had been summoned arrived on the scene. Councillor D. G. Sullivan, M.P., asked a constable to remove Mr. Marshall, who was making frequent interjections, but Mr. Marshall, considerably quietened, was allowed to remain. The conference was still in session when the men, headed by Mr. Marshall, filed into the room. Immediately the. Mayor (the Rev. J. K. Archer) informed the visitors that the conference was a private one. Gentlemen, I thank you for your attendance. The meeting is closed,” said the Mayor to the members of the conference. Mr. Marshall could be heard declaring that the men had come to place their case before the conference. Messrs. Marshall and J. McKegney were disappointed in their quest for the Mayor, who had withdrawn. They encountered Councillor J. W. Beanland, who declared to the men that they were being misled by a few Communists from Wellington. After sundry motions had been put to the meeting in the gallery, the men withdrew to the steps outside the council chambrs, where Mr. Marshall was one of the cnief speakers. Finally he and Mr. McKegney and a few others saw the Mayor coming down thq stairs. They met, him near the door of the town clerk’s office. “If you defy my ruling. I will not see you,” declared the Mayor. “If you come to me in the proper way I will see you, but pot otherwise.” Potential Supporters. Mr. Marshall: These men are all potential Labour voters who may help you at the next election. “I don’t care about that,” replied the Mayor. Mr. Marshall: You were elected by the rank and file, and you should wait upon them instead of them having to wait on you. Mr. McKegney: How do you want us to wait on you? On our hands and knees

The Mayor disappeared into the town clerk’s office and Councillor D. G. Sullivan, M.P., was the next person to be accosted, but not before four constables had arrived on the scene.

Councillor Sullivan, after being frequently interrupted by Mr. Marshall, asked' a constable to remove the man. Mr. Marshall, though he remained, was not a frequent interjector from then on. He put some more pointed questions, however.

“Are you prepared to do anything on behalf of the Labour Party?” he asked. Councillor Sullivan: The Labour Party is not in power. I will answer these men, but will answer no questions from you. Do you understand? Mr. Marshall: I’m not here to be bullied. Councillor Sullivan: I will explain to the men. Keep quiet. (To a constable) : Please remove this man, will you? The constable took a step forward, but upon Mr. Marshall saying something to the constable, the latter took no action. Councillor Sullivan promised to- send a telegram to the Unemployment Commissioner (Mr. Malcolm Fraser) asking him what the Board proposed to do for single men. ... , “Don’t throw any insinuations; I will send the telegram and have the reply published,” stated Councillor Sullivan after Mr. McKegney had made a remark about .