Was Mr Coates Tactless?

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7025, 8 December 1932, Page 6

Was Mr Coates Tactless?

Wellington Disturbance Mentioned in House LABOUR MEMBERS CRITICISE MINISTER Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Last Night. The supplementary vote for the Police Department occasioned numerous brisk exchanges in tho House of Representatives to-night, as well as a reference to the disturbances in Wellington in May and also to remarks stated to have been made by a police officer at Napier.

Mr. H. T. Armstrong (Christchurch East) asked tho Minister whether no had taken any action against Superintendent Cummings, who had made a speech at a meeting of the Rotary Club at Napier to tho effect that the Christchurch tramway strike had been suppressed and that so far as Christchurch was concerned it was not likely that there would bo any more strikes.

A number of Labour members declared that officers of tho police force should not be allowed to make partisan speeches. Hon. J. G. Cobbe said he was not aware that any speech of the kind had been made and ho did not know whether any action could bo taken in reference to a speech made at a Rotary Club. Mr. R. McKeen (Wellington South) alleged that the lackadaisical manner in which Mr. Coates had treated a deputation had precipitated the Wellington May disturbances. Other Labour members, together with Mr. H. Atmore (Nelson) declared that a lack of tact had been displayed in keeping the crowd waiting at Parliament gates so long. Mr. Coates said the deputation had left his room long before dark. Mr. R. Semple (IVcllington East) submitted that the crowd, as citizens, should have been admitted to Parliament grounds and the Minister should have heard their representations. He added that tho window-breaking had not been done by the crowd as a whole, but only by a few irresponsible youths.