MR MASSEY’S CHRISTCHURCH MEETING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18735, 13 December 1922, Page 6

MR MASSEY’S CHRISTCHURCH MEETING.

FIRE BRIGADE SUPERINTENDENT? REPORT. “RATS IN A TRAP.” (Peb United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, December 12. A very frank expression of opinion relat ing to the barricading precautions taken by the police and the City Council inspectors for Mr Massey’s meeting in the Theatre Royal recently was contained in a report by Superintendent Warner presented to the Christchurch Fire Board to-night. Superintendent Warner said: "I regret to report on the manner in which the exits at the Theatre Royal were barricaded up at a recent meeting of the Prime Minister held in Christchurch. Such a procedure, in my opinion, is entirely unwarranted amongst any civilised community, end apart from being in direct contravention of the city by-laws, only tends to arouse the anger of those unable to gain admission. To invite the Prime Minister or any gentleman to address an audience, and bundle them into any building barred and bolted up like what he termed rata in a trap, is not at all edifying for the position of those gentlemen, and I have yet to learn that any citizen of this city would molest or injur© the Prime Minister of the dominion. The suggestion is most absurd, and the authorities responsible for the adoption of such methods acted most unwisely, the ultimate result of which, if continued, will end in disaster.” In a discussion which followed objection, was taken to the wording of Superintendent Warner’s report. Eventually (in committee) the first sentence of the renort was adopted, with the addition of “such procedure is in direct contravention of the city by-laws.” The remainder of the clause was deleted.