NATIONAL ANTHEM AND INTERNATIONALE

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 13408, 6 August 1941, Page 6

NATIONAL ANTHEM AND INTERNATIONALE

SUNG AT SAME MEETING

AMAZING SCENE IN SYDNEY More than four thousand people filled the Sydney Town Hall recently and overflowed into an outside meeting of some fourteen hundred at an Aid-Russia rally organised by the Friends of the Soviet Union. The meeting unanimously carried resolutions urging the Federal Government to examine the prospects of diplomatic and economic co-operation with Russia, to hold military discussions with the Soviet Union, and to ascertain its opinion on the most effective form of aid.

It was in many ways an unusual public meeting. It began with the s.Tiging of the National Anthem, followed by the Internationale, in which the Bishop of Goulburn (Dr. Burgmann) and the Lord Mayor (Aiderman Crick) both joined. The Soviet and Australian flags flanked the platform. The Bishop wore his purple episcopal vest and in the audience men in working clothes sat beside women in fur coats. Three women threw gold rings into the collection plate.

The audience cheered when Bishop Burgmann began his address: “My Lord Mayor, friends, and comrades.” A woman waved a small red flag and called out: “Good on you, Burgmann. We want a few more of the nobs here.”

The Bishop said: “About twentyfour years ago the Russians lit a light that cheered the hearts and gave hope to the souls of millions of people throughout the world. That hope still burns brightly. “We must impress on the Government the necessity of opening up direct diplomatic negotiations with Russia. We should also have trained and reliable journalists sent there to tell us about the people and their conditions. If Hitler beats Russia. I think we are pretty well sunk ourselves.”

Mr C. Tannock. M.L.C., said: “We admire the Lord Mayor for his courage in presiding here to-night. It couuld well be copied by others in high places.’’

Mr Rupert Lockwood, representing the State Labour Party, said: “I pay tribute to those well-to-do people who have the sense to put their country s welfare before the welfare of their class. Already Fascist leaflets are being distributed in Sydney by that contemptible minority which would sooner see Hitler win than Stalin. The Australian people will deal very harshly with anyone who tries to sell us out to Hitler.” The big meeting ended with three cheers for the Soviet Union.