Soldiers Tear Down Communist Party Signs

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 October 1948, Page 2

Soldiers Tear Down Communist Party Signs

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Three J. Force soldiers and three civilians last evening marched into the premises of the Unity Centre in Cuba street, Wellington, climbed through a window on to the balcony and tore down signs erected by the Communist Party.

Shouting, “That is with the compliments of the British J. Force from Japan,” two of the soldiers tore down a sign reading, “Increase wages £2 a week,” and threw it into the street . Another sign, “Reduce prices now,” was also torn from its fittings, smashed and thrown over the edge of the balcony. Police Search The police are searching for the culprits. Mr Gordon Hudson, secretary of the centre, said he and another person were in the hall when soldiers and civilians burst in. Threatening to call the police, Mr Hudson saw two soldiers climb through the window to the balcony and begin to tear down the signs on the facade. , As he was telephoning the police, said Mr Hudson, he saw two J. Force soldiers running across the floor. He

went to grapple with them, but was knocked aside and they rushed past him down the stairs and out on to the street.

Secretary’s Statement The secretary of the Wellington District Committee of the Communist Party, Mr A. B. Skilton, said the Unity Centre was distinct from the Communist Party and many of its members had no political affiliations. He added that it was obvious that the attack was aimed, at the Communist Party. Mr Hudson said the Unity Centre was an organisation built up by workers’ subscriptions.