TEAR GAS IN HALL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 109, 11 May 1931, Page 8

TEAR GAS IN HALL

UNDERGRADUATES’ MEETING LABOUR SPEAKERS HECKLED UPROARIOUS SYDNEY SCENES SYDNEY, April 25. There were uproarious .scenes at the Sydney University Union, when a meeting was held for the purpose of in- , augurating a Labour group among the undergraduates. Speeches were interrupted b catcalls, hooting, jeering, stamping of feet, and at times scores of undergraduates had to leave tne 1. .11 because of the tear gas which was scattered by some of those present. The Chief Secretary of New South Wales, Mr Gosling, was frequently interrupted for a period of several minutes. The meeting was definitely anti-La-bour and mention of the names of the Premier, Mr Lang, brought prolonged hooting and boo-hooing. When the chairman, Mr C. E. Martin, M.L.A., stood to commence speaking, the crowd of some 700 undergraduates stood at once and sang the National Anthem. “The move to form a Labour Club at this University has come from within the University,” commenced Mr Martin. He was interrupted by cries of “No,” and hooting and interjections from all parts of the hall. The interruption continued for several minutes and when the speaker attempted to go on, the interjectors would not allow him to do so. After several in effectual attempts to make himseli heard, he sat down. Organiser Counted Out Mr T. O. A. Bfurke, the organising secretary and au undergraduate, attempted to speak. He had a reception similar to that accord >; to Mr Manin. His appeal tc the undergraduates was met with the singing of “Poor Old Joe” and a corruption of a ribald wai song. “This University cannot afforo to remain aloof from politics any longer,” he said. (Jeers, laughter ano interjections). “There are Labour groups in Oxford and Cambridge.’’ (Hoots and boo-hoos).

Finally the speaker, after being counted out backwards and forwards several times, sat down, and the Chief Secretary took his pla’ce. “I hope you will leave a poor forlorn gosling a few feathers with which to get home,” commenced Mr Gosling, who was greeted with stamping, applause and laughter. Amid continual interjections and interruptions, caused by laughter following sallies from witty students, Mr Gosling said that the Labour Government in 1912 had made it possible for the sons and daughters of the poor to attend the University. (Applause and yells of “No.”)

“Labour was responsible for the system which brought Professor Hunter to the University,” said M- Gosling. “It would take a lot to convince me that there is no anti Labour or Conservative party in the University. (Uproar). Professor Lovell, at a meeting of the All for Australia League convention, said that if the organisation did not transfer itself into a political organisation he would have nothing to do with it.” Here three cheers were given for Professor Lovell, with the singing “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow,” followed by further cheering. Evidence of Tear Gas Further uproar followed and at this stage scores of those present began to wipe their smarting eyes, artd it was realised that tear gas had been released in Iho hall. Mention of the “Lang plan*’ by Mr Gosling brought sustained hooting and uproar and of Sir Otto Niemeyer cheers. The Chief Secretary then launched a tirade against British bondholders and this, too, caused the undcrgra.hates to interject and stamp on the floor. As Mt Gosling concluded, a brick was hurled on to the corner of the platform and more tear gas could be felt. Scores used their handkerchiefs on tearful eyes. A motion in favour of forming a Labour group was defeated by an overwhelming majority. The organisers oi the meeting announced that despite the decision a Labour group would hr formed.