DEMOCRATIC CALL

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20242, 9 May 1940, Page 4

DEMOCRATIC CALL

LABOUR FACTION LEE-BARNARD GROUP TUMULTUOUS MEETING CHEERS AND BOOS INTERJECTOR EJECTED (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, this day. A crowd of nearly 3000 people which filled the Auckland Town Hall last evening heard the platform of the newly-established Democratic Labour Party expounded by Mr. J. A. Lee. who was elected as the Labour Parly member for Grey Lynn, and the Hon. W. E. Barnard, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, who was elected as the Labour member for Napier. While a large proportion of the audience appeared either sympathetic or tolerant towards ttie speakers, there was a great deal of noisy interjection, which several times culminated in tumuli as counter cheers and applause were given. About 20 police officers were stationed throughout tlie hall. They spoke to several interjeclors at various stages of Hie meeting, and one man who made his way to the front of the hall and attempted a vocal exchange with Mr. Lee was escorted from the building at the request of the speaker. Vigorous cheering and booing were frequent during the meeting and at times the speakers could not be heard, even with the aid of the amplifying system. At the conclusion of the meeting a motion was introduced endorsing the formation of the Democratic Labour Party and thanking the speakers for their address. It was declared "carried by an overwhelming majority" by the chairman, who announced that the collection had paid for the rent of the hall and other expenses.