MEETING BROKEN UP.

Waikato Times, Volume 109, Issue 18255, 17 February 1931, Page 8

MEETING BROKEN UP.

PANDEMONIUM REIGNED. COMMUNISTS IN COMMAND. RIOTOUS SCENES ENACTED. United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright. SYDNEY, Feb. 16. A widely-advertised meeting in the Sydney Town Hall this evening, called to protest against the proposals of the New South Wales Government for the repudiation of national obligations, was completely broken up by Communists and others, who apparently had deliberately organised to that end. The Communists distributed themselves in various parts of the huge hall where the police could not deal promptly with them. Riotous scenes ensued such as never before had been witnessed in the building and nearly caused a panic. On several occasions fights ocurred in the body of the hall and on the platform. The police were kept busy ejecting disturbers. One young man attempted to assist an official to eject a well-known Communist when he was set upon and punched unmercifully. Women screamed and rushed to the exits. Free lights went on among the audience and the rioters invaded the platform. There they counted out Air Bavin and called for cheers for Mr Lang and created the utmost pandemonium. The meeting had to be closed long before the time intended, when only one resolution of protest had actually been carried. This resolution deplored the fact that the name of the State should be officially associated with a policy which was morally disgraceful and financially disastrous. More than 200 citizens were present and hundreds were unable to gain admission. These subsequently regarded themselves as extremely lucky.*