THE UNEMPLOYED

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 48, 26 February 1934, Page 10

THE UNEMPLOYED

SCENE IN HYDE PARK

MARCHERS DEMONSTRATE

ORDERLY GATHERING

Dulled Press Association—Bj Electric Tel*.

erapb—CopjTlgßt(Received February 26, 3 p.m.)

LONDON, .February 25. At the unemployed demonstration in Hyde Park eight coal carts provided platforms for a hundred speakers hi succession, among whom were Mr. Jas. Maxton, Mr. Wai Hannington, Mr. Saklatvala, Mr. Fenner Broekway, but not Messrs. Mann and Pollitywhose attendanco wes considered inadvisable. Hannington advocated a .maBS strike movement throughout the country; with the objective of establishing a.Socialist Eepublic. He said:, "We are not going to give another inch to this.or any other Fascist Government.?' , . .

A suffragette, Mrs. Despard, sister of the late Lord Ypres. (Field-Marshal French), and now nearly ninety, was cheered as she was assisted, to a seat beside Miss Wilkinson; and Mr. Max; ton. . Dozens of packets of cigarettes were rained on the Welsh contingent when Hannington asked the crowd* to give them a smoke. . \""*"' ;

All the speakers demanded the withdrawal of the Unemployment Bill, .the abolition of the means tost, and a nation-wide programme of employment at trade union rates. ■■-■'.

Hundreds of the audience soon drifted away to listen to a negro racing tipster, while little boys continued a vigorous football game nearby. > bugle call at-5 p.m. signalled the synchronous putting of a resolution which was carried unanimously.

A domestic touch was the Scottish marchers' field kitchen,' an old fourseater motor-car, laden, with stoves arid pots and pans, and occupied by tired red-scarfed men, its battered ,■ bonnet bearing a chalked presentment of the tSieklo and, Hammer, and the. motto, "Down with tho Slave Bill." . . :

Other marchers entered, amid cheers, chanting "The Internationale." • Bagpipe and other bands headed tin c various contingents, including many . women Londoners, who carried, childrenandled boys by the hand.. ' - -„...,■.

■A roar of disapproval greeted a party of Green Shirts who were mistaken if or Fascists, until Communist cheers corrected the error. Beading and .Oxford undergraduates. marched to the slogan, "Red Students. Join He'd Workers.'.' ':■■

The numerous.banners and streamers included the portrayal -of Mr.' MacDonald asa dragon, inscribed'"Westminster Monster." . ; '• ' : :

The Tain ceased after a heavy. downpour drove • hundreds to sheltor. •■ The crowd generously filled the marchers' money boxes, despite the distribution of the Economic Leagues. pamphlets, deprecating monetary aid land characterising the' ; demonstrators .as Communists' dupes.' The proceedings .were orderly, with the exception of, abuse .of the police when a man and girl stumbled and fell as mounted men movqd the crowd to keep motors circulating.: .The diversion of traffic was reduced ;to: a minimum. .-..- ....

The demonstration- ended,, the processions being marshalled, under ..police guidance, and marched back to thoir.Yespective rendezvous, the bands playing and colours flying^through avenues of cheering crowds. AH was over. ;