COMMUNISM OPPOSED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 188, 12 August 1941, Page 6

COMMUNISM OPPOSED

STAND BY AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL APPLICATION FOR USE OF TOWN HALL AID-TO-RUSSIA COMMITTEE DECLINED (Press Assn J Auckland, Aug. 11. • After a discussion lasting nearly an hour and a-half, the Auckland City Council, at a special meeting, decided on the casting vote of the Mayor, Mr. J. A. C. Alluin, to decline the application by R. Armstrong, as convener of the Aid-to-Russia Committee, for the use of the Town Hall for the purpose of holding a public meeting celebrating the signing of the pact between Great Britain and the Soviet Union, and extending the cordial greetings of citizens. Eighteen of 21 members of the council were present. The Mayor explained the circum-I fiances leading to the present posi- ’ ton. including the making of an j farlier application for use of the hall, khich was withheld. He referred to I remarks made at a deputation re-1 teived by the council on July 31. He | taid there had been a lot said that | Houded the real issue. There was no , Question of freedom of speech that had been exercised without interference from the council, nor was there Rny question of aid to Russia as that Was obviously being given, while there could be no question of party politics in this matter. Public Interest The question was as to whether it Was in the public interest to let the Town Hall to a certain person, or body of persons. A request from a body such as the Labour Party ensured responsibility of action. It was. however, the duty of the council not to let the hall when there was reason to believe that there might be disorder, or grave public disapproval. “The evidence and surrounding circumstances satisfy me that the propersense of responsibility is lacking and that there is a close association with the Communist Party,” said Mr Allum. “In my opinion the real object is to take advantage of a fortuitous opportunity to advance the interests of Communism. This. I believe, •will certainly be resented by a verylarge section’ of our citizens. It is my duty, as Mayor, to place before tn» council facts as I see them, and to give a lead. “Whether the council accepts (IM lead will depend upon the judgment of individual councillors. I am satisfied it is not in the public interest the application and I move that h be declined.” Cr C J. Garland said that if th_ Government had not thought fit to suppress, or prohibit Communism, it was not the function of a local body to take that duty upon itself. Armstrong was not a Communist, but they were not very much impressed by h-.i contribution to the war effort. “Responsible People" Miss E. Melville said that so far as she was aware these people were responsible and she did not know that It had been the practice in the past to refuse the use of the hall because they did not agree with the views of people asking for it. The danger of a breach of the peace arising from statements that might be made was so remote that they did not need to take notice of it. Cr F. N. Ambler said that any citizen or body of citizens, had a perfect right to use the hall provided no subversive statements were made, and the meeting was conducted in an orderlv manner. “I think that this is the Communist Partv under a cloak, and that they went to put forward their views,” said Cr. F. G. Farrell. Freedom of speech would not be impaired if the application were declined. said Cr. A. C. Brown. By granting the request, they would do violence to the feelings of a great many people in the community. The Mayor said there seemed still to be a misunderstanding. He was satisfied on the evidence that as far as the application was concerned the proper sense of responsibility was lacking. When the motion that the application be declined was put the division showed there were nine votes for and nine votes against the motion, and the Mayor gave his easting vote for the resolution.

Cr. Garland left the meeting before the division was taken.