COMMUNISTS GATHER

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 52, Issue 248, 2 August 1932, Page 5

COMMUNISTS GATHER

CONFERENCE OF "WORKERS." BIG GATHERING AT OTTAWA. A VISIONARY PROGRAMME. (United Press Association—Copyright (Received This Day, 9.25 a.m.) OTTAWA, August 1. Travelling by automobile, freight car and on foot, a band of unemployed, estimated at between 200 and 300, arrived at Ottawa over the week-end to attend the Workers' Economic Conference, scheduled to begin to-day. Before the week is out, leaders of the movement declare, 1200 men wilt be ih the capital. A march on Parliament is planned for Tuesday, when an attempt will be made to see Mr Bennett and present demands. These are said to include non-contributory unemployment insurance for civilians, and 10 cents a day cash for unemployed war veterans.

Seven hundred delegates to the National Conference of Unemployment Councils met in an abandoned garage to-day and passed resolutions urging a non-contributory unemployment insurance,, shorter working days, cessation of police terror, exemption of all poor farmers from the payment of taxes, debt and rent. There were scores of women in the crowd. The ex-soldiers' division included former officers of the Canadian corps, one of whom won the Distinguished Flying Cross. At least one lawyer, and two former preachers were there. CLASH WITH POLICE LIKELY. THREAT OF REINFORCEMENTS. (Received This Day, 9.40 a.m.) OTTAWA, August 1. Those who are attending the socalled workers' economic conference are members of the Workers' and Exservicemen's League and National Unemployed Councils. Both are regarded as Communistic and therefore are illegal. The campers are being meagrely fed by the workers' international relief organisation. The Prime Minister (Mr R. B. Bennett) has agreed to receive seven delegates to-morrow, provided they are not Communists. Their demands include a dole of 10 dollars a week, release of imprisoned 'Labour agitators, removal of Canada's embargo on Russian goods, a seven-hour day and a five-day week, stoppage of shipments of food and war materials to Japan, repeal of tariffs and taxes, keeping up tho prices of necessities. There is every likelihood of a clash with the authorities to-morrow. The police are prepared for emergencies. The leaders threaten to summon large reinforcements in the event of their demands not being conceded.