"BLUE SHIRT” MOVEMENT

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 August 1931, Page 4

"BLUE SHIRT” MOVEMENT

’ LAUNCHED IN BRITAIN. LONDON, July 27. England's “blue shirt” movement was launched at the Albert Hall last night as a British gesture against the red flag of Communism. Amid the cheering of 10,000 persons, Lieut.-commander Oliver LockerLampson, founder of the movement, declared that the blue shirts would work to counteract Soviet propaganda in Britain.

There were scenes of wild enthusiasm among the anti-Communist Britons gathered in the hall. Men and women shouted against the red flag, and sang the “Song of the . Blue Shirts.” Commander Locker-Lampson—wear-ing a shirt of vivid blue—led the cheering and urged the members of the new organisation to devote themselves to opposition to Communism. The speakers included Rear-admiral Sueter and Brig.-gen. Sir Henry Page Croft, both members of Parliament.

A large part of the audience wore blue. There were hundreds of girls in the crowd in azure dresses and hats.

A blue flag, contrasting with the Communists’ banner, was displayed from the stage. It was explained that the founders of the organisation do not plan to make it compulsory for 'members to wear blue, any more than Lhe Fascists of Italy are forced to wear black shirts or the German Fascists brown shirts except on certain occasions, but the British leaders will attempt to persuade thousands of persons to show their interest in the movement by wearing blue shirts in preference to other colours. Except when wearing dress clothes, Commander Locker-Lampson recently has appeared in a blue shirt at all times.

The founders also sent out circulars asking various questions of prospective members, including: — “Do you approve of (1) the use of “fear God, fear naught” as our motto? (2) the use of “Dlarch on” as our battle song? (3) the use of a distinctive colour?