POLICE INTERVENE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 51, Issue 128, 12 March 1931, Page 3

POLICE INTERVENE

COMMUNIST DEMONSTRATORS. IN PARLIAMENT GROUNDS. (Per Press Association). WELLINGTON, March 11. A few Communists and unemployed workers gathered in the grounds of Parliament House about 2.15 p.m. to watch the opening of Parliament. By the time the Governor-General arrived the number had grown to about 20. The inspection of the guard of honour was carried out without any interruption,' but while his Excellency was in Parliament House one of the unemployed began to address the spectators from the base of the Seddon Memorial. He said a. slur had been cast upon the workers because the flag of the'Soviet Republic was not flying on Parliament House. At this stage the police intervened, and two of the demonstrators were ejected from the grounds into Molesworth Street, the proceedings causing some commotion. They were followed by a large crowd of spectators, and a strong body of police took up a position at the gate to prevent them reentering. The demonstrators commenced singing in Molesworth Strept, and cheers were called for the workless. As the Governor-General and party drove down Molesworth Street they were subjected to a demonstration by a group on .the footpath, who _ also counted out and jeered at the regimental band, but allowed to pass in silence the Wellington College Cadets, who marched past with fixed bayonets. After the guard of honour had disappeared one of the demonstrators started to address the crowd in Parliament grounds on the subject of wage reduction.