USE OF DOMAIN

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24050, 22 August 1941, Page 6

USE OF DOMAIN

AID RUSSIA MEETING SUNDAY GATHERING COUNCIL'S PERMISSION BAN ON PROCESSION A decision to allow the Aid to Russia Committee to hold a demonstration in the Domain on Sunday afternoon was made by the City Council last night, on the recommendation of the Finance Committee. The latter stated that the proposed demonstration had been described as "a friendly gesture to the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics." It recommended that the use of the Domain cricket ground be granted on the clear understanding that there would be no procession. Mr. El, P. Burton objected to the last stipulation on the ground that permission for a procession had not been sought.

The Mayor, Mr. J. A. C. Allum, said he and the town clerk had been under the impression that a procession was mooted. The sole purpose had been to make it clear that one could not be held without a special permit, which it would be against the council's policy to grant.

A motion by Mr. Burton that the stipulation be deleted was lost by 15 votes to 5 and the committee's recommendation was approved. Dominion Body's Meeting

A letter was received from the convener of the Aid to Russia Committee, Mr. R. Armstrong, stating that the New Zealand Society for Closer Relations with the Soviet Union had applied for the use of the Town Hall for a meeting similar to that arranged by the Aid to Russia Committee, and the application had been granted without any reference to the council. As the meeting was for precisely the same purpose as that arranged by the Aid to Russia Committee and an identical programme was to be presented, his committee felt that the council owed it an explanation of its action in refusing the committee the use of the hall on three different occasions. It was the committee's intention to applyagain for the use of the hall on the first convenient date.

In moving that the letter be received, the Mayor stated that an application was made for the use of the Town Hall by Mr. C. G. Scrimgeour, who presented a telegram from Mr. H. Atmore, M.P., and the Hon. W. 10. Barnard, M.P., on behalf of their organisation, and the town clerk had no hesitation in allotting a date. Control in Doubt However, a subsequent letter from Mr. R. Talbot, as local representative of the organisation, raised some doubt as to what body would control the proposed meeting. The letter stated that the organisation was co-operating with the local Aid to Russia Committee and it was proposed to allow a representative of the latter to speak regarding the committee's dispute with the City Council.

The town clerk,, the Mayor continued, accordingly wrote to Mr. Atmore, asking if his organisation would take full responsibility for controlling the meeting. A reply was received from Mr. Barnard, giving assurances that there was no partisan or sectarian purpose in view and stating that the programme submitted was not final. However, the letter did not clear up the point at issue, and a telegram was sent to Mr. Barnard, repeating the query. No reply had yet been received Council's Discretion Mr. Armstrong's letter was received, together with letters from four trade unions, protesting against the council's earlier decision not to grant the committee the use of the Town Hall. Reporting on the request made by a deputation at the last ordinary meeting, that the conditions of letting the Town Hall be amended, by deleting the provision that it might be let for political purposes only at the discretion of the council, the Finance Committee stated it could see no reason for altering the conditions. It recommended that no action be taken. The recommendation was adopted.