OPEN-AIR MEETING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21983, 14 December 1934, Page 14

OPEN-AIR MEETING

GRANTING OF A PERMIT PROTEST MADE BY POLICE A protest against the action of the Citj' Council in granting a permit for an open-air demonstration without first conferring with the Police Department was contained in a letter from the Commissioner of Police, Mr. W. G. < Wolilmami, received by tho council last night. The commissioner, writing on November 17, said he had been informed that the council had granted a permit for a mass demonstration to be held on November 25 and that this had been issued without reference to the police. He did not question the right of the council to issue such permits without reference to the Police Department, but having regard to the responsibility which rested on the police for' the maintenance of law and order, it might have been expected that their views would havp been ascertained in this as in previous similar cases in Auckland, as well as other centres, before the permit was issued. The council might be interested to know,, said Mr. Wohlmann, that this demonstration was organised by the Communist element. He would be glad to be advised in due course whether the council was in favour of granting permits to enable the Communists to use the city thoroughfares for the purposes set out in the directives issued by the Communist Party. The commissioner enclosed a copy of a directive issued in connection with the demonstration for November 25, which, it was stated, would be a stepping stone to further militant movements. It was decided to inform the commissioner that the council would deal with each application on its merits. Several applications were received for permits to hold open-air meetings at different points in the city. The majority were declined, only those which could be granted under the council's recent decision setting aside certain places deemed suitable for such meetings, being approved.