FASCIST METHODS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 101, 2 May 1938, Page 9

FASCIST METHODS.

LANG'S SUPPORTERS. DELEGATE BASHED. DID NOT AGREE WITH SPEECH. (From Our Own Correspondent.) SYDNEY, April 27. During the Easter week-end the State Labour party held ite usual conference. The gathering consisted chiefly of Mr. Lang's supporters, and the proceedings were marked by the customary adulation of the leader and by Mr. Lang's fervid oratory, which expended itself largely in laudation of himself and his friends and denunciation of "traitors."' One special incident deserves commendation, as indicating with remarkable clearness the Fascist tendency of Mr. Lang's regime. Among the delegates present was Mr. W. Crook, of Kurri Kurri, one of the members representing the Miners' Federation. During Mr. Lang's speech he left the hall. As he passed through the door he mentioned to some of the men standing there that he did not agree with Lang's remarks, and that he meant to criticise them later on. At once he wae set upon by the bystanders and brutally assaulted. According to the official statement issued by the Miners' Federation, "without provocation he was manhandled, kicked down the stairs and out into the street, where the boot was need to some effect." It seems that Mr. Crook sustained painful injuries which might easily have taken a serious turn, but regrettable as this aspect of the incident is, it has less public importance than the principle involved. Misconduct of this sort strikes at the very root of democratic freedom. "Things have come to a pretty pass," says the organ of the Miners' Federation, "when delegates cannot attend ati A.L.P. conference without beinjr subjected to treatment of this kind," and strong public indignation lias been aroused by the incident even outside Labour's ranks. The provincial executive of the A.L.P. has passed a strongly-worded resolution expressing "disgust at the brutal bashing jof Mr. Crook," and pointing out that while this exhibition of ruffianism is "contrary to the democratic spirit on which the movement is founded," it also proves that "Lang's inner jrroup is not a true expression of the Labour movement in this State."

Even the Langites have taken alarm and have set up a special committee to examine into the incident, and if necessary punish the offenders. It will take more than formal expressions of regret to restore the confidence of the workers in Mr. Lang or to repair the injury that the brutality of his "basher gang" has inflicted upon the fair fame and the prestige of La.bour in New South Wales.