NOISY DEMONSTRATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15375, 9 August 1913, Page 9

NOISY DEMONSTRATION.

.ANTI-MILITARIST, MEETING. SPEAKERS DENIED A HEARING [BT TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Ashbtjktok, Friday. FOUR anti-militarists from Christ-church attempted to hold what was announced as an " anti-conscription " meeting in the Theatre Royal. The building was crowded, between 500 and 600 being present. The Mayor presided, but the audience, nearly all of whom were palpably in . favour of the Dominion defence scheme, practically refuted to hear him or the two speakers who attempted to speak. Afterwards Mr. John P F. Fletcher, "of Australia," arose to speak at 8.10 p.m., but ironical applause, cat calls, hoots, the singing of patriotic and popular songs continued until he resumed his seat half-an-hour later, what remarks he had. made during that time having been entirely inaudible. The Mayor was powerless and the police inoperative on 'account of the high good humour and unity of the audience, which included a strong body of representative citizens.

Appeals lor a fair hearing made by Mr. C. W. Nicholl, ex-borough councillor and chairman of the local branch of the Navy League, and by Mr. C. J. Harper, chairman of tho County Council, were also unsuccessful, and, when Reginald Williams, one of the number who had been detained at Ripa Island, and who been eagerly called for by the crowd during Mr. Fletcher's speech rose to speak the pandemonium was intensified. Ho desisted at nine o'clock, when Mr. Nicholl, from the back of the theatre, secured silence and moved a resolution, "That this meeting of Ashb.u'ton citizens considers that universal military training is in the best interests of the moral, physical and national,welfare of the Dominion." This was greeted with great enthusiasm, and on a show of hands only the speakers on the platform and from four, to six at most, in the body of the hall voted against it. It was accordingly declared carried, amidst cheers.

The National Anthem was then sung, and the meeting commenced to disperse, though only the presence of the police stopped what looked like developing into a nasty demonstration when the speakers remained seated during the singing of the anthem- All but a comparative handful then left the theatre, and as the doors were closed, the subsequent proceedings are not yet known.

Young Williams attempted to speak to the crowd outside later on, but, fearing trouble, the police moved him on, and at 10 p.m. all had dispersed.