EARLIER DECISION TO STAND

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20892, 23 November 1937, Page 9

EARLIER DECISION TO STAND

MEETINGS IN SOUND SHELL

PROPOSAL DEFEATED A proposal by Cr. A. S. Kinsman to rescind a resolution restricting the use of the Sound Shell on Caroline Bay to entertainments and public functions and directing that other meetings should be held on the lawns at the north of the tennis courts was defeated by six votes to three at a meeting of the Timaru Borough Council last night. In accordance with notice given, Cr. Kinsman moved: “That, the resolution of the Council of January 18, 1937, adopting the Works Committee recommendation as follows ‘recommended that the Sound Shell should not be used except for entertainments or public functions and. that other meetings should be held in the space the north side of .the tennis courts, and: that permission to hold meetings on the Bay should be obtained in every case’ be and is hereby rescinded with the: exception of the words- 'and that permission to hold meetings on the Bay should be obtained in every case’.”

Previously Discussed Before Cr.-Kinsman could . speak to his resolution, the Mayor (Mr P. C. Vinnell) said the matter had been discussed by the Council on two previous occasions so that he presumed no fresh arguments for or against could be brought forward. “Do I understand your Worship is not prepared to listen to arguments for or against the proposal?” inquired Cr. Kinsman. The Mayor repeated his remarks, adding that it was his suggestion .that the discussion should be curtailed as far as possible.

The Town Clerk pointed out to Cr. Kinsman that In the life of the present Council a similar resolution to rescind had been put by Cr. Kinsman and defeated.

Cr. Kinsman said that if there was any legal reason why he should- not state the arguments for or against the proposal he thought the public Should be allowed to know them. If there were none, he proposed to give them, for 18 was the right of every councillor to express his opinions. He thought that every person who wished to should be permitted to use the Sound Shell provided he could convince the Council of his bona tides and that he represented a percentage .of the people, say 25 per, cent. After pointing out that the Sound, Shell had been erected for the use of the ratepayers, he asked why should; a body like the Y.M.C.A., which did good work In the community and were remembered for their service in the Great War, not be allowed to use the building. “Wrong Impressions” “You know why the Y.M.C.A.- were not allowed. It was because of a majority vote of the Council,” said the Mayor. ' “Because of the -resolution which I want to rescind,” replied Ct. Kinsman. “Why bring the Y.M.C.A. into it? It looks as if they had been singled out,” said the Mayor.

“I am not singling them out,” retorted Cr. Kinsman. “I am only ask? Ing why ” “You know why. It is giving a wrong impression," declared the Mayor..

Cr. Kinsman then returned to his argument and concluded by saying that he was prepared to stand by the decision of the Council.

“It is not often that I support Cr. Kinsman and it is a long time since I did,” said Cr. M. H. Richards, “but I am going to second this resolution.” He said a great deal of money had been spent on the Sound Shell. Was the building to be used ot looked at? He would let those who wanted it use it, but he would not be in favour of the Communists having it. Why should people who wanted to hold meetings have to go away down to the end of the Bay to give speeches? Cr. W. G. Tweedy also supported the resolution, urging that now that the town had a structure such as. the Sound Shell, which was a credit to the town and suitable for meetings, it was a pity not to use it. He considered the ratepayers were entitled to use it. In Hyde Park people were allowed to hold meetings and give addresses and they did not disturb other people. Place Of Amusement “The principle has been repeatedly affirmed by the Council that the Bay is a place of amusement and not of assembly to listen to political speeches,” said Cr H. J. Mathers. “If it is open to one body it has to be open to all bodies, and if you ( pen the door at all you are going to open it very wide indeed.” “You want to close it all together,” remarked Cr. Richards.

Cr. Hall said that although meetings and addresses were allowed in Hyde Park they were not permitted from the rotundas. If a man wanted to give an address he had to bring his own soap box. The Bay was not a place for political meetings. If people waned to hold them they could go to the part allocated by the Council. If the speaker had a following the people would go to hear him, if he had not he would be lonely. “What if the Prime Minister came here and wanted to speak from the Sound Shell?” asked Cr. Kinsman.

"He would speak from a hall,” replied Cr. Hall. “But if he wanted to speak from the Sound Shell would you refuse him?” persisted Cr. Kinsman. "Yes, he would be refused,” said Cr. Mathers. "The Prime Minister?” queried Cr. Kinsman again.

“We would treat him as we would anyone else,” said the Mayor. “Ridiculous!” was Cr. Kinsman’s comment. “You make the Bay a Continental watering place.” The resolution was defeated by six votes to three, only Crs. Kinsman, Richards and Tweedy supporting it.

“That’s the last time I’ll support you, Cr Kinsman,” remarkd Cr. Richards jocularly as the result of the division was announced.