SINGING IN DOMAIN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21160, 18 April 1932, Page 10

SINGING IN DOMAIN.

LARGE CROWD GATHERS.

URGED TO RETURN HOME.

APPEAL BY LABOUR M.P. PEOPLE QUIETLY DISPERSE. Under the impression that a demonstration might take place in the Domain, in spite of the oflicial ban on any gathering there, several thousand people were in tho vicinity yesterday afternoon. They found all the entrances guarded by police, while St. John Ambulance representatives wero in attendance. About 400 people collected on the eminence overlooking the Winter Gardens in the Outer Domain, while another 400 gathered outside the Park Road entrance. At 2.30 p.m. Mr. J. A. Lee and Mr. A. S. Richards, M.P.'s, approached tho main entrance gates and inquired for Inspector J. W. Ilollis, who was in charge of the force. Mr. Lee said he wanted permission to address tho crowd and urgo the people to go home. When informed that tho inspector would bo found at the gate further down Domain Drive ho set off with Mr. Richards to find him. The crowd followed and, realising it was unwiso to interview the inspector in the company of so many people, the members of Parliament proceeded up tho hill, where tlicy wero greeted with cheers by tho crowd assembled there.

Thero were now 800 people on the hill and Air. heo and Air. Richards immediately advised thein to be seated on the grass. About 200 followed their cxamplo and, led by Mr. and Mrs. Lee, began to sing songs, such as "Pack Up Your Troubles," "There's a Long, Long Trail" and "Ciood-bye-ee," while Mr. Richards continued the, search for Inspector Hollis.

Six constables stationed themselves among tho crowd. Several people, called upon Mr. f,ro to mnlce a specr-h but, not having then obtained tlio permission of Inspector Hollis, be declined and motioned several interject ors to bo quiet.

Reinforcements, consisting of a sergeant and 20 constables, arrived in about JO minutes and commenced to break up the crowd. Mr. Lee then announced that tliere would be no meeting in the Domain, as somo seemed to think, and called upon all present to go home. Ho and Mr. Richards thereupon leff, the ground, followed by a section of the crowd.

Those who remained were quietly moved on by the police until they were dotted over the Outer Domain in small groups. They remained for over an hour discussing the situation, after which they gradually dispersed, until by 5 p.m. tho ground was practically empty.

Mr. Lee stated afterwards that he did not go to the Domain to hold a meeting. Earlier in the week he had been announced to speak there yesterday and had been informed that morning that hundreds of people intended congregating there in the afternoon. "I deemed it my duty to go there, tell the people there would bo no meeting and advise them to go home," he said. "I intended asking Inspector Hollis for permission to speak to the crowd on these lines and purposely refrained from speaking until I obtained that permission. This permission I eventually obtained from the sergeant."

GOVERNMENT CRITICISED.

MEETING AT WELLINGTON.

CROWD DISPERSES QUIETLY.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —rRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Sunday.

About 300 persons attended at the Basin Reserve this afternoon in response to an announcement by the unemployed workers' movement that a mass meeting would be held. Speeches criticising the Government's policy were delivered by several of the leaders of the movement, and the crowd then dispersed quietly. A large number of citizens arc offering their services as special constables and arrangements are being made for the enrolment of as many as the authorities may deem advisable.

LABOUR MEMBERS' ADDRESSES.

MASTERTON AND NAPIER.

[BY TELEGRAPH. — PRESS ASSOCIATION.] MASTERTON, Sunday.

At a Labour Party demonstration held in Masterton this afternoon a resolution was passed condemning the Government's policy and calling upon it either to amend its policy or resign. The speakers were Messrs. W. E. Barnard and J. O'Brien, M.P.'s, who, referring to the Auckland disturbances, deplored the rioting, but said the Government could not escape responsibility. The meeting was most orderly throughout. There was an attendance of about 500 people. NAPIER, Sunday. Over 1000 people listened to addresses by Messrs. J. McCombs and W. Nash, Labour M.P.'s, in McLean Park this afternoon. Tho speakers criticised generally the Government's policy and administration. A lengthy resolution was carried condemning the Government's policy. The same members addressed a gathering in Hastings this evening.

INJURED CONSTABLES.

IMPROVEMENT IN CONDITION. Considerable improvement look place at the week-end in Ihe condition of the members of the police force who were seriously injured on Thursday evening as the result of the disturbances. Detective S. C. Whitehead, of the central station, who received concussion, is making a rapid recovery. Constable A. Ilinton, of Onehunga, and Constable W. Cook, of (lie central station, who both received concussion and other head injuries, also made good progress.

VIOLENCE REPUDIATED.

MOUNT ALBERT UNEMPLOYED A statement dissociating itself entirely from recent disturbances was circulated by the Mount; Albert Unemployed Association on Saturday. "Wo intend no violence in this district and we dissociate ourselves from past happenings," the statement read.

''l havo nothing but appreciation to express of the general attitude of the, unemployed in the borough." the Mayor of Mount Albert, Mr. \V. F. Stilwell, said last evening. "The conduct of 05 per cent, of them has always been good.".