STREET MEETING WITHOUT PERMIT

Evening Star, Issue 21784, 28 July 1934, Page 3

STREET MEETING WITHOUT PERMIT

THREE MEN CONVICTED |Pen United Puess Association.) AUCKLAND, July 27. Charges arising from- thl attempt made last Friday evening by an organisation called the “ Free Speech Council ” to hold a public meeting in Beresford street are being heard against a number, of men in the Police Court. The attempt to hold a meeting was made purposely to test the validity of the by-law All the morning was occupied in the hearing of evidence on three charges against one man, and the magistrate (Mr Wyvern Wilson) intimated that he would convict this defendant on all charges, but postpone passing sentence until the other cases had been heard. _ The man convicted was Lewis Williams, aged ,30 years, who was charged with participating in a street gathering for which no permit had been obtained from the City Council, behaving in a disorderly manner and inciting to disorder. Evidence was given that the City Council had refused permission to hold a meeting and had also refused to receive a deputation on the subject of free speech. Tho meeting was then advertised by means of “ dodgers.” Alexander Drennan and Sidney Wilfred Scott were also convicted, and sentenced, was postponed until the other cases have been dealt with tomorrow.