SEQUEL TO MEETINGS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 53, 31 January 1940, Page 10

SEQUEL TO MEETINGS

CHARGES AT AUCKLAND. HEARING ADJOURNED. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Jan. 30. The happenings at the Quay Street meeting on Sunday afternoon at which Rev. Ormond Edward Burton, aged 47, of Wellington, was arrested on charges of wilfully obstructing SeniorSergeant Sparks while in the lawful execution of his duty, and obstructing a public place, were described in the Police Court before Mr J. Morling, S.M. Accused was not represented by counsel. Sub-Inspector Pender prosecuted. Accused denied both charges. Sub-Inspector Pender said that a crowd of at least 250 persons collected around accused, who spoke in Quay Street on the subject of “War, Capitalism'and Pacifism.” When the temper of the crowd grew very ugly and fighting started among the crowd accused was asked to stop speaking, but refused to do so and was arrested, added Inspector Pender. The meeting became disorderly when soldiers and sailors arrived. Detective Brady said he heard Burton state he was a Christian Pacifist: He was loudly boooed when he said Chamberlain was no better than Hitler or that Imperialism was no better than Nazi Hitlerism. ‘‘A soldier in front of me told Burton that it was only the fact he wore his collar back tp front that saved him,” Detective Brady continued. “Burton told the soldier that if he liked he would take his collar off altogether a.nd that he could still look after himself.” Another \yitness, Constable McMath, said that, in his opinion, the soldiers would have used violence to Burton if they could have got near enough to him. In evidence, accused denied he was creating any disturbance. The Magistrate reserved his decision. “ELEMENTS OF RIOT.” Evidence was then called in_ the cases against two secretaries, Walter Ashton, aged 33, and Thomas Stanley, aged 53,' who denied charges of obstructing the police and obstructing the street. Both, were represented by Mr Hogben. Senior-Sergeant Sparks said that by the time he returned to the crowd after arresting the first speaker (Burton), it numbered about 600. “There were all the elements of a riot among the crowd,” witness continued. “There were cries of ‘Down with the Communists!” and two fights began in a section of the crowd. I approached Ashton and told him ho would have to stop speaking. He hesitated, but later continued to speak and I arrested him.” Witness said he then induced the soldiers to leave. At the foot of Queen Street a military officer appeared and offered to be responsible for them. Returning, witness found that the crowd had increased to about 800 and a third speaker (Stanley) was talking and gesticulating. The soldiers returned on the opposite side of the road and again pushed into the crowd, and started booing and singing so that the speaker could not be heard.

“I • approached Stanley as I had done the others,” said Sergeant Sparks. “He immediately asked: ‘AV'hy don’t you control the soldiers? They are disturbing the meeting, not us.’ He proposed sending a telegram ot protest to the Minister and refused to stop speaking, so I arrested him.” AA r itness said accused stated that pies were thrown and no one was arrested for it. It seemed as though the soldiers were determined to interrupt the speakers. ’Flic actions of some, about half a dozen, were accentuated by liquor. SEVERAL BLOWS STRUCK.

Sub-Inspector Calwell said the interjections were more or less organised. None of the soldiers was drunk, or arrests would have been made. Detective Brady said he saw several blows struck among the soldiers and civilians. There were arguments and insults. When Stanley began to speak he raised his hand in the Soviet saluatc, to which a number in the crowd responded but there was antagonism from the majority, who booed. Mr Hogben criticised the police for not taking action against the soldiers, who determinedly interrupted the speakers and tried to break up the meeting, which was being held quite lawfully. _ The hearing was adjourned.