MEETINGS BANNED

Southland Times, Issue 20010, 26 October 1926, Page 7

MEETINGS BANNED

THE COAL STRIKE RESTRAINT ON MR COOK “THE BEST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN” (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Rec. 8.15 pjn.) London, October 24. When Mr Cook arrived in the Cannock Chase area to address meetings he found 1,500 policemen drafted from everywhere in the district, acting upon instructions to prevent him speaking. W’hen Mr Cook’s motor-car approached Pelsall Common, where the meeting was scheduled to take place, there was a crowd of 5,000 present with 500 policemen, who were holding the common like a besieged castle. Mr Cook was only able to drop a few words to those nearest him. He said this would only make the men more determined. There would be more solidarity now. Thereupon he approached an inspector and asked to be allowed to disperse the crowd. He was informed that the police would carry out that work. Mr Cook was about to make some further comment when he was surrounded by police and hustled into his waiting motor-car. A lorry load of 30 policemen made a way for Mr Cook’s car, which drove in the direction of Coalville. The huge crowd was restrained in conduct. The first indication the miners’ officials had of the veto was when the police knocked them up at daybreak and informed them that they would be liable to arrest if they participated in any meetings. Later Mr Cook made the following statement—“lt is the best thing they could have done. It shows they are afraid to allow the men to meet the officials. I don’t mind going to gaol.” Nevertheless, the effect of the veto was to prevent his appearance at Coalville, where local officials addressed the meetings while waiting for him to arrive.—A. & N.Z. POSITION OF MR COOK. STATEMENT BY SIR JOYNSON-HICKS. (Rec. 7.35 p.m.) London, October 24. Sir W. Joynson-Hicks in a statement regarding the banning of Mr Cook said he had no knowledge of special circumstances, though recently he had issued orders to all chief constables authorising them to stop meetings likely to cause a breach of the peace. The chief constables would act upon their own responsibility as they were on the spot. The Chief Constable of Leicester states that he does not propose to ban Mr Cook’s meetings. Mr Cook has promised to address six audiences in Leicestershire, including Coalville, but could not be found when the meetings were readv to begin.—A. and N.Z. PREVENTING WITHDRAWAL OF MINERS. (Rec. 9.15 p.m.) London, October 24. Under the Emergency Powers Act, Sir W. Joynson-Hicks is counteracting Mr Cook’s efforts to withdraw the miners who have resumed work. He banned Mr Cook’s meeting in Staffordshire.—A. and N.Z. MR. COOK AT COALVILLE. THE MINERS ARE WINNING.” (Rec. 8.25 p.m.) London, October 25. Mr. Cook reached Coalville late in the evening in a driving storm. He told the audience he did not want to defy the law and see miners beaten down by policemens’ truncheons. "But,” he added, “the action of the authorities will do more to bring revolution than all my speeches. Meanwhile, the miners are winning.”—A. and N.Z. BELGIUM TO RESTRICT EXPORTS. Brussels, October 24. The Belgium Government has decided to restrict exports of coal to the quantity necessary to fulfil existing contracts.— A.. and N.Z. STEAMSHIP COMPANY THREATENS TO CANCEL SERVICES. Oslo, October 24. The Bergen Steamship Company is suspending sailings to England on October 31 unless the Government ensures a supply of joal.—A. and N.Z.