MAY DAY DEMONSTRATIONS

Evening Star, Issue 21091, 2 May 1932, Page 4

MAY DAY DEMONSTRATIONS

QUIET OBSERVATION A mass meeting of the unemployed and employed was held in the Tabernacle * Hall, King street, yesterday afternoon instead of at the Oval. Mr George Geddes occupied the chair, and addresses were delivered by the following speakers:—Messrs C. M‘Arthur, S. Ikin, P. Neilsbn, and G. Geddes. In the evening the Tabernacle was filled to protest against the conditions imposed by tho Government. Addresses ’were delivered by Messrs J. Gilchrist, P. Moreland,**’P. Neilson, M. Silverstone, and the chairman. The following resolutions were carried unanimously : ( i “■ That this meeting of workers, gathered hero to celebrate International Day, sends fraternal greetings to all struggling workers in other lands and to victorious comrades in the Union of Socialist Soviet Russia.” “ This May Day gathering of workers demands the abolition of all slave camps and all relief works, and tho substitution in their stead of non-con-tributory insurance, to be financed from the profits of industry, and also the immediate socialisation of credit. We also demand the release of all classwar prisoners and freedom of speech and assembly.” (petition to parliament. [Pm Unitxd Pbkss Association.] / WELLINGTON, May 1. No happening of any moment marked the May Day celebrations in' Wellington. The Unemployed Workers’ Movement and the Communists arranged a demonstration in the Basin Reserve. With rain falling and 'a strong southerly blowing, the conditions were unpleasant, and about 400 persons mustered on the grand stand. A strong posse of police was present. Speakers addressed the crowd for about two hours denouncing Capitalism, and the present Government in particular, but the inclemency of the weather dampened whatever enthusiasm the fervour of the speakers might have roused, and the crowd dispersed quietly. Here and there a red flag was held above a small group. An intimation that the Labour Party had decided to present a monster signed petition to Parliament was made by Mr •J. O’Brien, M.P., at a meeting of protest against the actions of the Government held at the Labour Hall at Petone this afternoon. There were about 250 persons present. Mr O Bnen spoke at length on the recent legislation. In the absence of Mr W. J. Jordan, M.P., Mr J. Roberts (secretary of the New Zealand Alliance of Labour) discussed the problems of the day in relation to the workers. Towards the conclusion of Mr Roberts s speech the meeting became unruly, but order was eventually restored. A resolution pledging support for tho petition was passed. A NEW ORGANISATION, “ UNITED FRONT OF LABOUR.” CHRISTCHURCH, May 1. A mass demonstration organised by a group styled the United Front of Labour was held in Christchurch today. There was a procession through the streets, and a meeting in Cranmer square was addressed by Labour speakers, including the mayor (Mr D, G. Sullivan, M.P.), the Rev. J. K. Archer (deputy-mayor), and Mr E. J. Howard, M.P. There were also Communist speakers. ‘ Tho Red Flag ’ and ‘ The international ’ wero sung, although tho crowd did rather badly with ‘ The International.’ The proceedings wero quite orderly. Tho police had taken elaborate precautions to prevent disorder. No display of force was made by them, but in King Edward Barracks, a quarter of a mile from Cranmer square, were packed 300 special constables with motor cars for speedy mobilisation at any point where trouble threatened. Some shopkeepers, notably hotels with bottle stores, were asked not to display their wares in the windows. The demonstrators were probably unaware of these precautions, and saw nothing of the special constables.