THE RED FLAG

Evening Star, Issue 14572, 22 May 1911, Page 4

THE RED FLAG

AND THE UNION JACK. DISLOYAL SOCIALISTS. WORSTED AT AN OPEN-AIR MEETING. [Pee United Press Association.] WAIHI, May 22. For the past fortnight the question of compulsory military training lias been exercising the minds of tho Socialist party, and their, disloyal public utterances caused a revulsion of feeling. The culminating point was reached yesterday afternoon on the Public Domain' when a young man named Potter, an ex-South African contingenter, gave a stirring address in the presence of about 1,500 men and women in support of the defence scheme, and moved a. resolution —“ That, while deploring the horrors of war, wo maintain every man has a right to uphold the British Flag.” As an amendment tho leaders of the Socialists, after speaking in terms couched in disloyal language, and stigmatising Potter’s address as a babel of jingoism, moved —“ That this meeting of citizens enter an emphatic protest against compulsory. military training.” The Socialists insisted upon a devision to decide the question. A remarkable scene followed. The great crowd split up, and in quick time took up respective positions. About 500 took up positions in favor of the amendment, while a largo majority took up Dio position for the British Flag. Meanwhile the more excited Socialists made an urgent appeal to the concourse to rally round the red flag. The resolution was tamed amidst enthusiastic cheering, and the meeting ended in the singing of the National Anthem, during which the Socialists interrupted with groans.