STORMY MEETING

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 68, Issue 135, 19 March 1948, Page 3

STORMY MEETING

Sydney Audience Againsl Communists LOYALTY TO THRONE AFFIRMED (N.Z.P.A.—Copyright). * s (Rec. 11.20 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. A public meeting called in Cowra by the Communist Party concluded stormily when it carried, by a large majority, a resolution asking the Government to declare the Communist Party illegal. The well-known Communist, Freda Brown, occupied the chair. A member of the audience moved that the meeting affirm its loyalty to the Throne and Constitution. “I am not prepared to accept any motion that calls for loyalty to the Throne,” said Freda Brown. “With thousands of soldiers unable to get homes, this country will spend £250,000 entertaining three people'.”. Asked whether, in the event of war with Russia, the Communists would be on the side of Russia or Australia, Miss ; Brown said: “If there is war between America and Russia, I hope Australia will not send her manpower to help America which is a country little better than the Fascist countries we have been fighting. I say that the Communist Party would support Russia if it was fighting against America." I would take a stand against Australian soldiers being used for American imperialism.”

The motion was then put that the Government be asked to declare the Communist Party illegal. Though the chairman refused to handle the motion, it was seconded and carried with acclamation.

When, as the meeting was breaking up in disorder, a member of the audience struck up the National Anthem on the piano, those walking out stood to attention pnd joined in.

EFFORT TO CREATE CRISIS | CHARGE AGAINST COMMUNISTS (Rec. 11.55 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. Prominent Trade Union officials declare that the Communists are trying to convert the Queensland strike into a major industrial crisis throughout Australia, and that officials of Com-munist-controlled unions have been active since Wednesday’s in Brisbane attempting to organise stoppages and protest meetings. It is expected that Communist- controlled lodges will try to keep -the New South Wales coalmines idle. After the 24-hour protest strike yesterday the executive of the Waterside Workers’ Federation called on all members to hold one-hour protest strikes to-day. In an interim injunction in the Equity Court, Mr Justice Roper forbade the New South Wales Executive of the Federated Enginedrivers’ and Firemen’s Association to send_ money to the Queensland strikers. Tfte Queensland police are investigating two more attempts to wreck trains, this time in North Queensland, near Charters Towers.' The crew of a rail motor from Townsville found a fire on a bridge over a creek three miles from Charters Towers. Nearby was a sign reading: “Scab! Next time you take a train up at your own risk.” The other case occurred when a mixed train on an up grade a mile from Charters Towers skidded and came to a sudden halt. The crew found that the brakes had been applied without their knowledge, and a long stretch of line was covered in oil. Had the sudden stop broken a coupling the wagons w r ould have run down the incline and been wrecked.