MAY DAY CELEBRATIONS

Grey River Argus, 3 May 1932, Page 6

MAY DAY CELEBRATIONS

LARGE GATHERING AT GREYMOUTH MINERS’ DEMONSTRATION IN THE BULLER World-wide Observance by Workers

Reports from many lands show that the international working class holiday has been very generally honoured this year, without any serious disturbance, but with deep interest by the proletariat. The celebration in the Grey district was yesterday hold at Grey mouth, whither contingents from the various mining centres came to participate. The proceedings here were o:ganis,-d by the Unemployed Workers’ Movement very successfully, and passed off in a manner that was most creditable to all concerned. At the Band Rotunda

•uveral working class spokesmen gav ■ addresses, anj in every instance. the speeches wore delivered with excellent effect, the sp rit and language of each utterance boing such as to hold the attention of the large gathering throughout. While the police force were in full strength, they had no occasion either for interference or anxiety, whilst there was no semblance of the mysterious “ specials’’ in evidence. The whale demonstration w:i« as orderly as it was en'.thus'astic, and was a worthv commemoration of May day. The procession left the Kailway Station shortly after 2 o’clock, headed by Mr R. Marley, Secretary of the Unemployed Workers, and the Blackball Pipe Band. There were fully three hundred men, women and children in the procession, several of whom carried banners, these being inscribed: “No Pension (hits!’’ “We Ask Work at a Living Wage’’’ “Workers Defend the Soviet Union!’’ “Work or Sustenance for Unemployed Women!’’ “No Confidence in Forbes or Coates!” “Away With Relief Camps!’’ and “Freedom of Speech and Assembly!” The Red Flag occupied a prominent position. The march proceeded via Mawhera Quay, Boundary Street, Guinness Street and Mackay Street to the Band Rotunda, where there were in all over one thousand people gathered to hear the speeches delivered by Messrs A. M cLagan (Secretary of the United Mine Workers of New Zealand), F. L. Turley (Secretary of the United Timber Workers), B. Topp (President of the West Coast Timber Workers’ Union), and W. Purdy (Secretary of the West Coast Council of Miners’ Unions).

Mr R. Culling, a member of the Greymouth Unemployed Workers’ Organisation, presided, and introduced the various speakers. He stated that the demonstration, which was usual on May Day, on this occasion was a protest. by the unemployed and organised workers against the wage cuts and pensions cuts.

Mr A. McLagan, Secretary of the United Mine Workers of New Zealand, 1 said he was pleased to see such a large assemblage of workers on May Day. Meetings that day were being held all over the world, it being the international workers’ day, to discuss matters of interest to the workers as a class and to sec what could be done to better conditions in the ensuing period. He asked what was bringing the workers out to those meetings. It was the existing unfair conditions and thO workers’ desire to improve them. It was the custom of the white worker to look down on the coloured worker as inferior. The latter workers were encouraged by the employing class, and by so doing., they found it much easier to rule the white workers. They had all to realise that they were all workers and that the only way to obtain a good standard of living was unity. There were workers unemployed in European countries, whilst at the same time capital was being transferred from these countries to other countries The New Zealand loan had not been fully subscribed in London, whilst, on the other hand, an Indian loan was oversubscribed many times. That went to prove that the employing class were prepared to employ cheap labour, and the only thing that counted, as far as the employing class was concerned, was the profit that would be obtained. What was the position the workers found themselves i'i

to-day, not only in Now Zealand, but in every capitalistic country? They found that their conditions were being made worse and worse. Was it because the workers wore becoming less able or the climate becoming harder or the soil less fertile? Owing to the development of labour-saving machinery, 1t was easier and less costly to produce, even to an extent not dreamt of even only a few years ago. The system under which they now lived, which was known as the capitalist system, became widespread less than 100 years ago. Under this system, production was carried on, because the individual capitalist had the incentive to make capital out of production, and whatever could produce the greatest, profit in the greatest abundance. Although it was found that there was widespread want, there was no shortage of any commodity, the world ’a warehouses being full. For instance, farmers in U.S.A, could buy wheat nt half the amount it would cost them to grow it, and, not finding it profitable to grow wheat, they stopped growing it, and in many instances the wheat was burned in order to keep the price up, whilst with regard to coffee, it was tipped into the ocean sb as to keep the price up. The same applied to cotton, and every third row was ploughed back into the ground. In

Canterbury last year farmers were dumping loads of potatoes into tlu. river, whilst at the same time many p< ople in the city could not get enough to cat. At Nelson, apples were dump cd into the sea as a profitable price could not be obtained for them. Today there were fifty million uuemploy cd in the world owing to the rule of the capitalist class. Unemployment was on the increase, and had not yet reached its lowest depth. Capitalism v,as ihc cause of unemployment, and in its path came further and further unemployment,’ it being alike to a snowball gathering as it rolled along. In Germany, there was no less than 45 per <*(‘nt. of the working class unemployed. In the United States, which was tin* richest, capitalistic country u> the world, there were over ten million unemployed. There were over 50,000 unemployed in New Zealand who were registered, whilst there

would be many who were not registered. All of the schemes that haV been put. forward with regard to un employment dealt with the effect am’ not with the cause. They had to real ise that currency or tariff proposals oi systems would not bring about an ini provement in the position. If the mass of the population could not gel the currency, what was the use of il, ! The question was, how were they m get the money into the hands of tin working class, so that they would bi consumers? That was a problem tha’ would not be solved so long as the] had the profit on capitalist system That system had been usefeul to : certain extent in bringing marhiiicr into being, but if the developing o machinery went on, the time niigh come when 90 per cent, of the work iiig class would be superfluous am

would be in the same, or a worse, position, than the unemployed were at the present time. Great riots had taken place in England years ago in an attempt to break up machinery, but' it was unsuccessful, and it. would bp foolish to try to do away with it to-day. To get the best from machinery it had to be the servant of the worker, and not the master. When the first wage cut was mooted, the so-called experts told the workers to take it as there would be no more, and it would relieve the. country, but it had been then pointed out that there would be further wage cutting, and so there was. To assert that any community could starve itself into prosperity was simply playing with words. It had been stated some 14 months ago from the same platform that one wage cut would lead to another and this forecast had been borne out now. There was now another cut and a further five per cent, by way of wage tax, Avhile short working time amounted to another 15 per cent, reduction in income, making a total of 40 per cent, for the wage and salary earners. If the wage reductions could have had any beneficial results, they would have been felt by this time. But, instead they had been the means of the dismissal of more workers. It was going to go on further under this system. Longer hours would have to be worked. Tt would take less than a year for the next cut to follow, and yet further wage cuts would thereafter be necessary to save the capitalist system. That system would gradually become worse and worse In its effects. The present evil system had got to be cleared away so as to make way for a better one in the future. The capitalists’ method of obtaining capital was that of wage cutting and putting the workers out of employment. Every now and then a huge war broke out. It was now 18 years since the last one and that, war solved the problem of disposing of the working class population. It was a temporary solution. There was no doubt that capitalism was like a drowning man, clutching at the last straw as a way out of its difficulties, and there was no doubt the workers were again about to be marshalled for slaughter. I There was one war in Manchuria. It ! was not likely to stay solely in that ' country for very long. Tt was inevitable, according to a press cablegram last Saturday, that war would break out not later than .lune of this year I between Japan and Soviet Russia Such a war would not be confined to Japan, who alone could not smash the Soviet of Russia. There could be no doubt but that Japan was being egged on by other capitalist countries. There was no unemployment in Russia. It was found that there to-day, where the Socialist system had been introduced, not only was there no unemployment, but wages had been increased, and the working hours shortened, ajid .is much as from twelve to six hours in the case of the miners per day. Their standard of living was being improved, the State being organised in the interests of the working class, to satisfy human needs. In Russia they had a workers’ system and the workers were themselves the possessing class. Here all those with vested interests in capitalistic countries possessed a hatred of and desire to upset and overturn the Soviet Government of Russia, hut it was in their own interests, which they wish to safeguard. To-day it would be found that there was the purpose of another capitalistic conflagration. He asked if the workers wore going to give way tamely to the situation of wage cutting which was facing them, and which would never bring prosperity. The only way out was for the workers to organise and demand better wages and conditions.

The problem facing the working class was one of taking over the whole system and running it on their own behalf. Capitalism was a dying system and there was no necessity for its existence. The despair of the great capitalists was illustrated by those of them who were now committing suicide, and he recalled the fact of Ivor Kreuger, the “Match King,” and also the “Kodak King,” having taken their lives. The latest to take his life was the “Razor King.” The Match King had actually defrauded his own 1 •lass of many millions of pounds. The 1 capitalist indeed realised that there was no longer any justification for the system. Capitalism must be cleared away. The working class should have every confidence in itself and introduce the system known as that of socialism, which would mean the bringing forward of a real civilised state of society, as there had not been one as yet and there would never be until the workers took over and instituted their own system. (Applause.) Mr F. L. Turley, the next speaker, said: “J want to congratulate the workers on the success of this demonsfration, and I am pleased to note that not only the workers, but civil servants and shopkeepers are present also; no doubt it is because they are feeling one and all. the effects of th-' rotten government. of Forbes aml

Coates. They are not here for curio." ity, but to help to bring, about th** changing of the present system. Wo are passing through a stage of evolution and this system of capitalism has got to go. Forbes and Coates are holding the power for a small section of the people, and are out of touch with the working class. Lately 1 have travelled a great deal in the North Island, and as you all know, on this Coast, and T have seen the wants and privations of great numbers of the people and realise what the Government has brought us to. For instance, a few years ago Gisborne was one of the richest towns in New Zealand, with many people worth up to ten thousand, but now some of these very people* are on the dole!” After quoting the case of a politician in that district who, once wealthy, was now hawking, the speaker continued: “I do not wish to see anyone brought down, but. I certainly want to see the workers lifted up. I am not advocating a revolution, but what I do want to see is a revolution at the ballot box. I notice tin* police an* hen* in numbers to-day (laughter), and I realise that they an* feeling the position as much as we are. being subjected to a 20 per cent, cut in their wages, although they are forced, through their ] osition, to remain silent. No doubt the time has comp when resolutions have got to come, from the whole of New Zealand compelling the Government to resign, and go to the country for a mandate. At the present time they are engaged in enacting pernicious legislation and arc going to vote themselves into another extra year’s salary and I do not think that wo should stand for this dictatorship. T do not agree with the Arbitration Court, but in that connection Forbes- and Coates have done things this week to stir up trouble throughout New Zealand by preventing the workers from organising. If the unemployed want redress, likewise the shop assistants, they have no means to obtain it. Nevertheless T state here that if the timber monarchs attempt to interfere with the award, they will find the timber workers more solid now than with the Arbitration Cour*. (Applause.) The people to-day do not think sufficiently for themselves, and as a consequence they allow the capitalistic press to formulate their views.

I recently had occasion to write a letter to the Greymouth “Evening Star’’ suggesting a method of relieving the present conditions. I headed this letter “Unemployment—and the Alternative,” but in order to ridicule this article the title was altered ’■ o II Tons of Money” and a belittling footnote added. However, we are more fortunate than other parts of New Zealand in having a Labour paper, the “Argus,” where we can have our views expressed and upheld and the workers of the Coast should support this paper in their own interests. Many people do not want the currency altered, but economists arc very evidently divided on the matter. 1 notice our local Magistrate has said that he hoped that people should nor, be led astray by the idea of inflation, but if inflation will assist to solve the problem, 1 do not see why wc should not have it. Unfortunately people do not see that New Zealand is being run by the banking interests of England. If the Government is not going to bring down the interest charges 20 per cent., then the wages cut should not be levied, for while it is proposed that other people should reduce interest by 20 per cent., the banks are only to reduce their interest charges by 7 per cent., and we should insist on the Government getting out, if they do not adjust this matter. In conclusion I wish again to congratulate the workers on this demonstration, and hope that it will not be the last, for they help us to bring about a better state of affairs by an interchange of views. ’ ’

Mr B. Topp, President of the Westland Timber Workers’ Union, spoke briefly. He said that the New Zealand working class had themselves to blame to a certain extent for the conditions prevailing at the present time. They had had the ballot box in front of them and many had voted for those men who had placed the adverse legislation on the Statute Books of to-day. Mr Forbes knew the position would become worse, and yet last year he had given a rebate of £320,000 to the big landholders. Therefore, he had no right to put on the second cut. He would say to organised and unorganised workers: “The employers have been stepping on the accelerator and you have got to catch up and stiffen up for the, fight to come.” He was not going to say that the workers should come to anything like the Auckland riot. The workers were not responsible for any hoodlums hanging on to them. “If you don’t buck up you are going to go down lower than, the Indian coolie,” he concluded. Mr W. Purdy, Secretary of the Grey Valley Workers’ Union, also addressed.

the large •gathering. He said he had heard of cases of young workers under twenty years of age on the West Coast who had offered their services free, but could not find any employer to accept them. Three million pounds haa already been wasted in the Dominion on unproductive work, such as cutting blackberries, which would be with us again next year, he stated, amidst laughter. He would like to sec the civil servants and workers get together. There was little or no social or class difference between them. They were all workers. Part of the Labour Party’s ’ policy was a six hour day. and also that everybody over fourteen years of age should be given work. There was very little difference between the workers and the civil servants, and he hoped that they would not refuse like they did in Wellington some time ago to participate when a procession was held as a protest against the wage cuts. Now the civil servants were praying that wages be not reduced. It should not be a matter of praying. Those workers had nowcr, but had they the “guts” to use it? He congratulated the unemployed workers on their very orderly demonstration.

In the course of his remarks, Mr Purdy made an allusion to the matter of the special constables enrolled in thr district which evoked a round of laughter and applause. lie remarked that although 'they had the police force present o n the occasion in numbers, they nevertheless felt that the police were probably with them, but there doubtless were also amongst them people whose wish it was to enter the police force, but "ere debarred because of the fact thatt their records showed that their characters om’tted them for entry to .'the police force. He knew, too, that the police themselves had 110 very high estimation of the “specials’’ —(Applause and laughter) —and he knew nobody who differed from he police in that respect. (Ap. plause). I, J At the conclusion of the speeches the following resolutions were put to the meeting, and all were carried unanimously on the voices. Moved by Mr Nordstrom and seconded by Mr W. Roberts: “That the new Scheme for the unemployed, which has just been postponed, be postponed for ever. ’ ’ Moved by Mr R. Marley, and seconded by Mr E. Smith: “That the Government provide work for the unemployed men and women immediately.” Moved by Mr R. Steel, and seconded by Mr W. Ollis: “That we demand the > release of J. J. Robinson, Editor of the ‘Red Worker.’ ”

Moved by Mr J. Steel and seconded by Mr H. L. Smith: “That we demand the release of the unemployed workers’ leaders and demand freedom of speech and assembly.” Mr Culling returned thanks on be half of the Unemployed Movement for the large attendance, to the speakers for their able speeches, and also to the Blackball Pipe Band for coming down, the meeting terminating with the singing of “The Red Flag.”

Crowded Meeting MR SEMPLE AT INVERCARGILL. INVERCARGILL, May 2. Me R. Semple, M.P., addressed a crowded meeting at the Municipal Th eat iy on Saturday evening, Mayor Miller presiding. He declared that an extension of the life of Parliament was a distinct violation of the constitution and he announced that petition forms would be circulated calling on the Government to resign. It was unanimously resolved: “That ih e citizens of Invercargill pledge ourselves to do all in our power to support the petition calling upon the Government to repeal legislation relating to the cuts in pensions, wages, salaries, hospital and education payments, and to resign. Sydney Celebration I RIVAL LABOUR MEETINGS. (Aus & N.Z Gnblp 4ss->l SYDNEY, May 2. The May Day gathering at Sydney yesterday was featureless, except for the fact that labour’s forces were divided into opposing camps, those who wore red ties, badges and berets, and those who didn’t. The former held e. procession, carried flaming rod banners and harangued the crowd on the virtues of Sovietism, in one part of the Domain. The latter conduced an orthodox meeting in another part. The onlookers, about ten thousand all tola filled in time sauntering between the two gatherings, eager for fireworks, which failed to materialise. The pol ice task was never easier. MELBOURNE DEMONSTRATION MELBOURNE, May 3. Yesterday a record crowd witnessed May Day marches through the cite. The Communist Party organised a demonstration in opposition to that oi the Trades Hall, and the two rival processions marched through the atreets. Trades Hall leaders and the Acting Premier (Mr Tunnecliffe) were as vaulted in a riot at the May Day celebration on the Yarra Bank. Mr Tunnecliffe, and the President of the Trades Hall Council (Mr Riluy), were pushed off a lorry, and while on the ground were savagely assauLod bv a number of men Moscow’s Great Display OF SOVIET FORCES LONDON. May L Moscow staged the greatest military 'parade ever held under the Soviet, thousands of troops and armed civilians filing past Lenin’s tomb. Two hundred tanks, and armoured cars, testified to the increased mechanis ation of the Soviet, forces M. Stalin, who took the salute from the. plinth of the tomb, afterwards .stood there till day, while a million citizens paid homage to Lenin. The de■monstrations showed that Stalin’s ascendency is still maintained