THE OLD GAME.

Grey River Argus, 28 June 1922, Page 3

THE OLD GAME.

QUEENSLAND TORY PLOT. SECTARIANISM SCOTCHED.

BRISBANE, June 10. A staggering exposure was macle in tho 1 ‘Standard ” yesterday of the gang that is responsible for the preparation and circulation of an infamous sectarian pamphlet “issued by the Protestant Labour Council, Brisbane, G.P.0., Box No. 1006,’’ This not only came as a pleasant surprise to all. sensible Labour supporters, but it gave a distinct shock, to the plotters themselves, and is likely to have far-reaching ell'ccis. The complete analysis of tho lying charges made by tho Sectarian brigade and the shattering truths published by the paper in conjunction with the exposure, have also naturally attracted widespread attention. The “Standard” was in unusually heavy demand yesterday, and the special demand continues to-day. It is realised by decentminded opponents of Labour, as well as by supporters of the workers’ cause that the lies and slanders that have boon going tho rounds for a Icwig time past. Opinion was practically unanimous in the city that “The Daily Standard’s” smashing exposure of tho conspiracy of sectarian slander filled a crying public need. This underground campaign of lies was encourag- !

od by Torydom through its political agencies. It saw the political value of such sectarian misrepresentation and rubbed its hands in gleeful anticipation (,f a favourable result, at the polls. Tho i‘tries wish to sei 1 a Labour Government supplanted by a “National’’ “Country’’ Administration, not because of any difference in religious views of the principal politicians, but because a Tory Government in power means that the workers can be bolter controlled ami wage's reduced to tho extent that the 0.8. U. of capitalism decides. Instead of doing the fair thing Torydom has boon pleased at the introduction . of the sectarian virus, and there is not wanting strong evidence that some of its rich supporters have provided plenty of money for tho devilish cam- ' paign, ami in fact, are monetarily at the back of the precious gang who were described in the columns of this journal yesterday. Yesterday afternoon a group of mon was sitting in a dingy office in tho city, as they had been doing for periods during the last two days, wrest- i ling with a “constitution” for a. body I which has adopted the name of the : “Protestant Labour Council.” There i were many difficulties to contend with, in tho framing of this constitution, and every man in the room was or- ■ iously engaged in the discussion. Who ' the men were does not matter iust

now. It is sufficient to mention that I one of them was a man who only ar- ■ ri\- -d from Sydney on Monday right, I and whose great organisation work in tho dirty sectarian campaign that was '.so effective from llio anli-Labour I sianiipoint in th.* mother-State recently has given him a measure of respect amongst all those who rovol in this sort of fil: h. Nearby, on a tabic in tho room, was a large parcel containing pamphlets headed “ Laborites—Protestants — • Awaken,” and on the cover of the parcel was written in large handwriting tho name of a man who is a familiar } figure in tho streets of Brisbane. The ocasional references to the name of this man by the serious group in the room suggestt'd that he must bo a very active member of this strange “council.” He is! Presently the chairman received a message, and his face became white. “What’s the matter?” asked one of the group anxiously. ‘•They have found us out,” he exI claimed. j “Who have?” the group asked in chorus. •The ‘Standard’ has exposed the' whole game this afternoon.” he said “ has just seen, a poster in the j street. ’ ’ Instantly tho, business of tho conference was forgotten, and there was a confused babble of expressions of astonishment, doubl, and exasperation. A “Standard” was promptly sent for, and soon.tho anxious conspirators were reading the account of their own undoing. “There is a ‘shelf’ amongst us,’’ declared one of tho acknowledged ringleaders. They all looked al one another ami during a moment or two of silence suspicions rapidly developed. Then angry conversation burst out afresh, and ■_ eventually the group broke up. with out having finished tho business of th?