Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. MONDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1928. ELECTORS, PLEASE NOTE!

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 October 1928, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. MONDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1928. ELECTORS, PLEASE NOTE!

from the beginning that the ‘‘Demonstration of Unemployed Miners” held at Greymouth on Saturday, was mainly inspired by those prominent in the Communist ranks, we refrained from assisting such tactics. Everybody has considerable sympathy with the workless who really desire employment, but it cannot be claimed that Saturday’s proceedings did the cause of the wagcless miners much good. As a demonstration it was a fiasco, comparatively few miners taking part in the procession, and the majority of those listening to the speeches were there for cheap entertainment. No serious notice need be taken of the gathering, apart from the fact that Air. James O’Brien, the Labour candidate for Westland, was a prominent speaker. The electors should remember this on polling day next month.

We have previously challenged Mr. O’Brien to state where he stands regarding the Communists, but he has hitherto, not been eouG Icons or brave enough to reply. Was his association with prominent ('ommunisls. on Saturday, his answer ! 11' a politician is known by the company he keeps, it is evident that Mr. O’Brien, were he elected, would be more Member for Nelson Creek than for Westland generally. Air. O’Brien said on Saturday that he did not care a snap what people thought about him being associated with the Communists. The Westland electors should be glad to have such defiance thrust in their faces before I he elect ion.

Unemployment and politics should not. be mixed together, but I ho Communists and Labour num are striving to fake advantage of public sympathy with the, unemployed, by using the distresses of the wage-less for anti-Government propaganda purposes. Saturday’s “demonst ration ” was .another instance of these tactics, and no intelligent elector will be deceived. No constructive suggestions were made by the Communist orators, who simply mouthed attacks on the Government and the social system

generally.- Tt. was not without significance that a red flag was unfurled throughout the proceedings, and that at the conclusion, the National Anthem .was ignored, and the “Red Flag” honoured.

Labour has officially rejected dealings with rhe Communists, but this seems to be a. very nominal disagreement, especially on the West Coast. Mr. 11. E. Holland evades replies to the question what he thinks of Communists, and does not refuse their assistance on his election committee. Mr. O’Brien demonstrated on Saturday that he is willing to work with Communists. Generally, Westland and Buller electors have been given ample proof that a vote for Mr. O’Brien or Mr. Holland, is a vote also for the district Communists.