POLICE INTERFERENCE AT PUBLIC MEETINGS.

Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 70, 20 September 1887, Page 2

POLICE INTERFERENCE AT PUBLIC MEETINGS.

The Napior police seem to havo conceived an extraordinary idea of their dutj in regard to preserving order at political mootings. Our telograms have recorded two instancos of their attending meetings held by Government candidates, and ejecting, or threatening to eject, any and every person expressing any disapproval of tho sentiments ntterod on the platform. We havo no hesitation in denouncing such action as illegal and unconstitutional. Tho right of free, unfettered pnblio meeting is a moat important one, and a privilege to bo most jealously guarded. On it in a large measure depends the liberty of tho people. At a pnblio meeting overy man has as much right to express dissent or disapproval as ho has to applaud or to express approval in any way. In neithor caso must he act in a manner to interfere unduly with the business of the meeting or to cause disorder. Subject to this limitation, overy person present has a full right to give expression to his feelings, and in no case are the police entitled to constitute themselves judges of tho propriety or otherwise of interpolations or interruptions. The duty of prosorving or dor rests with tho Chairman alono, he deriving his power and authority from the meeting itself, and it is most impropor for any policeman to interfere, except in case of breach of the peace, unless by the direct order of the Chairman, who gives such order at his own risk. The Commissioner of Polico will do well to direct his attention to this matter and restrain those under him from such improper interference with publio liberty as is reported from Napier.