HOUSE FULL!

Grey River Argus, 11 June 1935, Page 5

HOUSE FULL!

Council Audience LABOUR RULE AT AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND, June 8. The new City Council, which has ti Labour majority, opened its second meeting with a full house. When the Mayor, Mr Davis, made his en.trauee and took his seat on the dais—a. dtus deeorated by two very litre poinsettits with Hauling scarlet leaves the avail' able space on the floor of the chamber was packed, seats having been provided for the visitors in advance. However, there was no doubting the i.leaning of the laughter when a Labour member ‘‘put over a good one or that of the obligato which went on when the debate was centred elsewhere. And all this was not surprising at the second meeting of (he first Auckland City Council to be dominated by Labour. There are, of course, those

eople who find an interest,in observng the conduct of the city s allaiis, mt most present, as on the first oceast>ll, desired to taste the wine of victory u.,1 rejoice at the sight of their vote ranslated into man power. It was inevitable that there should ,c some applause, but, all things considered, the spectators can be eongtaulated upon their instinctive selfiiscipline. In this no doubt they were tided by the dignified bearing iy£ ithe •ity’s representatives. It should be mentioned before one mikes a final bow to the audience hat a late arrival was a Labour M.P., )f Wes’t Coast fame. He was given i chair within ibff horse-shoe. AV hen die Mayor’s attention was drawn to lis presence the visitor was invited on to the dais, Mr. Davis expressing the hope tm.t nc would enjoy the meniiig. It waa quite an appropriate iveieome in view of the “packed

house.’’ Deputations took a fairly good slice out of the evening, one representing au unemployed organisation., which wanted the free use of the Town Hall, being the star turn ia the opinion of a good many of the audience. A JitiUe cross-fire between '.the leader of the ,Couue.il who has been a leader of the unemployed, provided the interesting information that there lias been a n t iii the unemployment organisation. However, the use of the hall was granted and a spokesman of the Labour side let. it be known that as the Town Hall was the property of the community, any organisation was entitled to .‘the use of it for public meetingb*. . . ‘‘Hear, hear,” yelled a visitor, who forgot himself for the moment, and the Mayor quietly said, “Order.” which was nil that was necessary. One gathered the impression that more will be heard about the granting of free use of the Town Hall to “organisations.” It cannot be said definitely whether political organisations were meant.

The right of free speech came up in a recommendation excluding only thoroughfares and Albert Park as meeting places. _ No matter what one’s .opinions or prejudices may be, there is always room for a little sympathy fot the reformer who, having gone out into the highways and bywajigi, fails to persuade many of those who remain indifferent to listen to (him. However, “free speeehers” of all kinds are now to have plenty of scOße a? far as stamping grounds are concerned and maybe Sunday afternoon will be more entertaining than in the past. The final decision of importance was the decision to restore the cut to all employees receiving under £3OO. the total involved to be added to the estimate deficit. This, it was indicated, is merely a first installment of Labour’s plans about, salaries.