WORKERS INTRUDE

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 132, 2 December 1930, Page 13

WORKERS INTRUDE

MEETING INTERRUPTED

MAYOR WALKS OUT

(By Telegraph.) (Special to "Tho Evening Post.") CIIBISTCHUIICH, Ist December. While an unemployment conference was bc-ing 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 tho Mayor left the room. After some discussion outside the door four constables who had been summoned arrived on tho 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. ■ Tho 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, 1 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 com© to place their case before the- conference. MISLED BY COMMUNISTS. Messrs. Marshall and J.. M'Kegney were disappointed in their quest for the Mayor, who had withdrawn. They enuountored 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 chambers, where Mr. Marshall was one of the chief speakers. Finally ho and Mr. M'Kegney and a few others saw tho Mayor coming down the stairs. They met him near the door of the Town Clerk's office. ■■ "If you defy my ruling, I will not sco you," declared the' Mayor. "If you come to mo in the proper way I will sco you, but not otherwise." Mr. Marshall: "Theso men are all potential Labour voters who may help you at the next election." "I don't care about that," replied tho Mayor. Mr. Marshall: "You were elected by tho rank and file, and you should wait .upon them instead of them having to wait on you." Mr. M'Kegney: "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. POINTED QUESTIONS. 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 tho Labour Party?" he asked. Councillor Sullivan: "Tho 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 hero to bo bullied." . Councillor Sullivan: "I will explain to tho men. Keep quiet. (To a constable): Ploase remove this man; will you?" .- Tho 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. Eraser) asking him what tho 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. M'Kegney had made a remark about promises.