COMPLETE FIASCO.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 175, 26 July 1930, Page 9

COMPLETE FIASCO.

Gessnock Idle Trek to Sydney

And Land in Gaol.

WELCOMED BY POLICE ESCORT.

SYDNEY, July 25,

' The "hunger inarch" on Sydney by some unemployed men from Cessnoek, which they began on July 20, ended disastrously on the outskirts of the city to-day. The meagre contingent of 15 men, after tramping from Cessnoek and Litligow, found a posso of police awaiting them, with a police van, in Parramatta Road. * •

A sergeant halted the marchers and informed them that they were taking part in an unlawful procession. He advised them to disperse.

The men did so, but soon afterward? they reformed, and were augmented by a few loafers from the sidewalks. In the twinkling of an eye the police swooped down on the misguided ones and arrested tha 15 men, and bundled them into a police van, which shot away to Newtown almost before the onlookers realised what was happening. The Communist party, views the trek, as most others do, as a complete fiasco.

A much heralded " hunger march " on Sydney by unemployed men at Cessnoek, organised by two prominent Communists, was begun on July 20. Only six men took part in 4he start. A heavy frost before dawn had. made the empty streets particularly uninspiring even to the six enthusiasts, and their' departure was delayed until the eun liapl taken the edge off the keen atmosphere. A crowd of people saw the men off, and some women accompanied them for a mile or so. It was stated that more nieb would follow on Monday.