STREET ORATORS

Evening Star, Issue 18852, 29 January 1925, Page 3

STREET ORATORS

SPEAKING FORBIDDEN AT FOUNTAIN. CR MAOMANUS OBJECTS. The following clause appeared in the report of the (lenoral Committee presented to tho meeting of Hie City Council last night;—• An application has been received for permission to deliver public addresses at Cargill's Monument for any t-imo from a month preceding the municipal elections. The council has already previously decided that permission for sneaking the locality applied for .should not bo grunted, and the applicants have been advised accordingly. Or Mac.Manns moved that tho clause bo uaforod back to tho committee, with a recommendation to comply with tho request. He thought the council should give an opportunity for public criticism. Or Mitchell; But not there.

Mr MncManus went on to say that for many years the Fountain had been a recognised place for public speaking. Or Olanc rose to a point of order. Tho council, ho said, had already come to a decision on the matter, and Or MncManus would have to give notice of motion to rescind before tho matter could bo discussed.

The Mayor said Or Clark was right. Notice of motion was necessary, and ho could not accept Or MacManus’s present amendment. Or MacMnmts said ho did not know what actuated tho council in tho matter in ordinary times, but when an election was coming permission should lie given for speech-making from tho Fountain. Ho was .sure romcillors rejoiced in criticism.

Tho Mayor said there were facilities in other places. Tho Chairman of the committee (Or Sincock) staled, in reply, that there were many oilier places where speeches could bo made if permission wore obtained from tho council. There wore the Queen’s Cardens. the Market Reserve, and the Botanical Cardens. It a crowd gathered around the Fountain it was difficult to control tho trathe,