MEETINGS BANNED

Wairarapa Age, 26 October 1926, Page 5

MEETINGS BANNED

# HOME SECRETARY TAKES ACTION. AGAINST A. J. COOK. EMERGENCY POWERS USED. LONDON. October 84. Under the Emergency Powers Act, Sir W. Joynson-Hicks, Home Secretary, is counteracting Mr. A. J. Cook’s effort to withdraw the miners who have resumed work. The Home Secretary placed a ban on Mr. Cook’s meeting in Staffordshire.—(A. and N.Z.). COOK DISAPPEARS. FAILS TO APPEAR AT MEETING. LONDON, October 24. Sir William Joynson-Hicks, in a statement regarding the banning of Mr. A. J. Cook said he had no knew ledge of the special circumstances, though recently he had issued orders to all chief constables authorising them to stop any meeting likely to cause a breach of the peace. 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 meeting. Mr. Cook had promised to address six audiences in Leicestershire, including one at Coalville, but could not be found when the meetings were ready to begin.—(A. and KX). ✓ AT CANNOCK CHASE. GREAT MEETING KEEPS ORDER. IUNERS’ LEADERS WARNED. (Received Moaday, 8.15 p.m.). LONDON, October 24. When Mr. Cook arrived in the Connock Chase area to address meetings, he found fifteen hundred policemen drafted from everywhere in the district, acting upon instructions to prevent him speaking. When Mr. Cook’s motor car approached the Pensail Common, where the meeting was scheduled to be held, there was a crowd «f five thousand present, with five hundred policemen, who were holding the common like a besieged castle. Cook was wr only able io 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 of police, and asked if he would be allowed to disperse the crowd. He was informed that the police could carry out tuat work. Cook was al out to make some further comment, when he was surrounded by police and hustled into his waiting motor car. A lorry load of thirty policemen made a way for Cook’s car, which drove in the direction of Coalville. The huge crowd was restrained in its conduct. The first the miners’ officials had of the veto was when the police knocked them up at daybreak and informed them tkey were liable to arrest if they participated in any meetings Later Mr Cook made a statement that it was the best thing they could have done. **lt shows,” he said, “that they are afraid to allow the men to meet their officials. I don’t mind going to gaol” Nevertheless, the effect of the veto was to prevent his appearance at Coalville, where the local officials addressed meetings while waiting for him to arrive.—(A. and NX).