FREE SPEECH MEETING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21883, 20 August 1934, Page 11

FREE SPEECH MEETING

GATHERING IN DOMAIN POLICE ADVICE NOT TAKEN PROTEST AGAINST BY-LAW A meeting protesting against the City Council's refusal to allow open-air assemblies without permits drew a crowd of about 1000 people to the Domain cricket ground yesterday afternoon. The gathering, which was organised by the Auckland Free Speech Council, was conducted without disorder, and was confined to a short speech, made after the speaker had been warned that police action might be taken if he persisted. A number of police officers were present on the slopes above the cricket ground, and three or four mounted police were stationed in the outer Domain.

Promptly at three o'clock a small group went out on to the grass and, after a brief consultation, Mr. Roy Stanley made a statement as to the objects of the meeting. At that point two police officers, one of whom was Sub-Inspector Scott, walked out and asked Mr. Stanley whether he had a permit to make a speech. On being informed that he had not, the police warned the speaker that if he continued he would be prosecuted. After another consultation with those organising the meeting, Mr. Stanley returned to the police officers and quietly informed them that he had decided to continue. This he wa* allowed to do unmolested..

The City Council, he stated, had been given the power under the Municipal Corporations Act to pass any by-law they might think fit. Using this power they had put a prohibition on speech in the open air without a special permit. This he considered to be the thin edge of the wedge of Fascism and dictatorship, and one calculated to lead to further restriction of liberty. It also tended to keep people in ignorance. Controversial subjects over the wireless were barred, but, as a progressive body, the Free Speech Council felt justified in demanding the right of expressing their views, and were going to put up a fight in the matter. The speaker referred to the recent demonstration in Pitt Street, and asked his supporters to demand the release of those imprisoned and the abandonment of restrictions on the liberty of those bound over. "I will not go much further," he concluded. "I have come nere to-day simply to test the case against the City Council."

The meeting passed a resolution protesting against the restrictions on freedom of speech, public meetings and processions, and urging the Government to mitigate *the penalties imposed on those convicted as a result of the Pitt Street demonstration.