POLITICAL BODIES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22579, 18 November 1936, Page 13

POLITICAL BODIES

PUBLIC ORDER BILL SECOND READING CARRIED DEBATE IN COMMONS By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright British Wireless RUGBY, Nov. 1(> The Public Order Bill was read a second time in the House of Commons to-day without revision. All the parties in the House are prepared to support its general principles. It is seldom that a major piece of legislation dealing with matters affecting all the political parties, comes before the House without notice having been given of any single amendment, as is the case with this measure. "It is the view of the police that the wearing of political uniforms is a source of special provocation in many areas," said Sir John Simon, Home Secretary, in moving the second reading. There was also the dancer of an invasion of Parliamentary liberties by tho creation of private armies. The Government asked the House to deal with the situation before it became more serious. Mr. .1. R. Clynes 'Labour —Platting. Manchester) said that Jews ought to be protected against malicious attacks. Sir Percy Harris (Liberal —SouthWest Bcthnal Green), said his constituency contained 25 per cent of Jews, who had lived peaceably until six months ago when tlio Black Shirts marched through tho streets and stirred up trouble. Labour and Powers ol Police Mr. Dan Chater (Labour —North-Fast Bcthnal Green) recalled that in the last election campaign 200 Black Shirts had marched to a meeting lie was addressing. "British Fascists adopt tlio same tactics as the Nazis in deliberately provoking Communists to riot," said Mr. R. 11. Bernays (Independent LabourBristol North). Several Labour members, while supporting tho bill generally, said tiiev feared that the wide powers given to the police might be used against the workers in .a legitimate struggle. Commander R. I. Bower (Conservative—Cleveland, Yorkshire) said ho thought the. bill did not go far enough. Ho referred to organised hooliganism at his meetings in North England, where his wife's shins had been kicked until they were black and blue. The last view he had of one meeting was a drunken woman dancing on the Union Jack on a table. These rioters were not Communists, but ordinary supporters of the Labour Party. The March to Runnymede Mr. F. Kingsley Griffith (Labour — Middlesbrough West) said he felt sorry for Green Shirts who went to meetings and asked harmlessly, "What about Social Credit?" The obvious answer was: "Well what about it?" Mr. W. Gallachcr (Communist —West Fife) said ho believed the bill would result in a mass production of informers and agents provocateur. There was once a march to Runnymede which the present Government would 'have declared illegal. The Government already had power to stop slanders against Jews.