WORKLESS ENTER COUNCIL ROOM.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19241, 1 December 1930, Page 9

WORKLESS ENTER COUNCIL ROOM.

FOUR CONSTABLES HELP TO KEEP ORDER

While the unemployment conference was being held in the City Council Chambers this morning a crowd of about 150 unemployed men walked into the public gallery. The Mayor immediately informed the visitors that the conference was a private one. Still the men continued to come in. Mr A. F. Marshall, the leoder of the party, began to make a speech, but the conference concluded and the Mayor left the room. After some discussion outside the door, four constables, who had been summoned, arrived on the scene.

Councillor D. G. Sullivan, M.P., spoke to the men near the outside steps of the council offices, explaining what was intended to be done for the relief of unemployment. lie once asked a constable to remove Mr Marshall, who was making frequent interjections, but Mr Marshall, considerably quietened, was allowed to remain. There was no disorder.

The conference was still in session when the men, headed by Mr Marshall, filed into the room. Immediately the Mayor (the Rev J. K. Archer) informed the visitors that the conference was a private one. Still the men continued to come in.

“ Gentlemen, I thank you for your attendance. The meeting is closed,” stated the Mayor to members of the conference.

Mr Marshall’s voice could not be heard in the subsequent shifting of chairs and the breaking up of the conference, members of which, with scarcely a glance in the direction of the army of men, chatted dVnong themselves. Finally Mr Marshall could be heard declaring that the men had come to place their case before the conference. They wanted to know what was to be done to relieve unemployment.

Messrs Marshall and J. M’Kegney were disappointed in their quest for the Mayor, who had withdrawn. They encountered Councillor J. W. Beanland, who said that he would not discuss matters with them, and advised them to leave the building. He declared to the men that they were being misled by a few Communists from Wellington. After sundry motions had been put to the meeting in the gallery, the men withdrew to the steps outside the Council Chambers, where Mr Marshall was one of the chief speakers. Finally he and Mr M’Kegney and a few others saw the Mayor coming down the stairs. They met him near the door of the Town Clerk’s office.

“Defied Mayor’s Ruling.” “If you defy my ruling I will not see you,” declared the Mayor. “If you come to me in the proper way I will see you, but not otherwise.” Mr Marshall: These men are all potential Labour voters, who may help you at the next election. “ I don’t care about that,” replied the Mayor. Mr Marshall: You were elected by the rank and file, and you should wait upon them, instead of them having to wait on you. Mr M’Kegney: How do you want us to wait on you ? On our hands and knees ? The Mayor disappeared into the Town Clerk’s office, and Councillor D. G. Sullivan, M.P. was the next person to be accosted, but not befpre four constables had arrived on the scene. Request to Constable. Councillor Sullivan, after being frequently interrupted by Mr Marshall, asked a constable to remove the man Mr Marshall, though he remained, was not a frequent interjector from then on. Councillor Sullivan declared that only a visitor to the city would state that the Christchurch City Council had done little for the unemployed. The speaker was prepared to discuss matters with any resident of Christchurch, but not with Mr Marshall. A voice: Is there anything to be done for the single men in the next few weeks ? Councillor Sullivan: I do not know. Mr Marshall: Are you prepared to do anything on behalf of the Labour Party ? Councillor Sullivan: The Labour Party is not in power. I will answer these men, but will answer no questions from you.** Do you understand? Mr Marshall: I’m not here to be bullied. Councillor Sullivan: I will explain to the men. Keep quiet. (To a constable) : Please remove this man, will you? The constable took a step forward, but upon Mr Marshall making a statement to the constable the latter took no action. Councillor Sullivan promised to send a telegram to the Unemployment Commissioner (Mr Malcolm Fraser) asking him what the board proposed to do for single men. “Don’t throw any insinuations. I will .send the telegram and have the reply published,” stated Councillor Sullivan, after Mr M’Kegney had made a remark about promises.

Councillor Sullivan having retired, the unemployed held another short meeting on the steps leading up to the City Council offices. There several speakers delivered themselves of tirades against the alleged apathy of the authorities in not providing food and work for the men.