"MUNICIPAL CUCKOOS"

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 104, 4 May 1935, Page 10

"MUNICIPAL CUCKOOS"

MR. WRIGHT & COMMUNISTS

LIVELY OPEN-AIR MEETING

The Citizens' Committee addressed an open-air meeting at Veitch' and Allan's corner, Vivian' Street. There were a number of professed Communists present, and a lively meeting was the result. Mr. R. H. -Nimmo having dealt with Harbour Board matters, and Mr. W.. J. Mason having answered a number of. questions regarding the hospital, Mr. R. A, Wright began to speak.

The crowd had increased, and heckling and questions made the meeting extremely noisy. One question by a man whp described himself as the Communist leader, was whether Mr. Wright thought he should'be denied a permit to speak in the streets.

. Mr. Wright replied that he thought anyone should be granted a permit to speak in the open air, provided he1 kept within the law, and did not preach sedition. .

The; Communist then asked whether Mr. Wright would join with the Communists in'an attempt to secure additional allowances for the unemployed.1 Mr. Wright said he had always supported every effort made to increase relief workers' allowances and would continue to do' so, but he would not work with the Communists in any matter; '. " ■

"Why not?" said the. Communist. "Because," was the reply, "the Communists are disloyal/wish to introduce anarchy, and are opposed to law and order." Mr. Wright said he knew the object the Communists had in view, at theimeeting; iTheyjwere simply.wait ing until the Citizens' Committee meeting finished, and . then they would speak to. the audience on Communism. They could not gather ah, audience of their own, but when others collected an- audience, they took the opportunity of addressing such audiences. They were simply.municipal cuckoos, ana every one of their five candidates would lose his,or her deposit. ,By this time the Citizens' candidates had; to leave to address: another meeting at Kelburn and the' Communists addressed; the .electors at some length. Ultimately. one, ■of \ the .. speakers. an-: nounced that -a : collection Would now be taken up..../ The assembled; electors rapidly dispersed. , ..-;,...:,.;■ .