UNKNOWN

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLI, Issue XLI, 9 May 1921, Page 8

UNKNOWN

■AT UEMUNSTP.ATION IN SYDNEY.

■AN UNPRECEDENTED GATHERING.

routed.

PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT May 9, 9.20 a.m.) SYDNEY, May 9. t loyalty demonstration in the ( in reply to the flag burning * was unprecedented for size ] of loyalty. It is estimated 1 to 150,000 participated, j serious trouble was threaten-, i militant meeting being rushed < broken up' and a Red Flag cap- - and burned amidst an uproarious MBv The police, who were present in ~ large force, made'several arrests. A , number of Socialist speakers were , pulled off a platform, and received a rou^h handling. i Mr E. Judd, addressing a meeting of the Socialist Labour Party, incensed by the constant interruptions, drew a revolver. A wild rush followed, and with the greatest difficulty the police managed to rescue Judd frpm the angry crpVd. They took him to the police station, where he was charged with being in possession of a revolver without a license and hehaving in an offensive manner:"- Four others were arrested for riotous behaviour. Judd and about a dozen others," including the . superintendent of police, were treated at the hospital for injuries, mostly minor, caused by crushing. ; Resolutions were adopted: "That the Union Jack is the flag of Australia." "That the Red Flag, or any other ! emblem of revolution, shall never be exhibited in this State, • and in view of the dangers threatening the Commonwealth, and the State, we combine for the purpose of eradicating from Australia all enemy agents and : sympathisers who are out to disrupt the integrity of the Empire." The speeches were fervidly loyal and hotly indignant yagainst the insult to the Union Jack.., \

The returned soldiers, whose league ' was chicly responsible' for the loyalty demonstration, sought vainly for Don- -„; aid Grant and Garden, two militant : leaders, whose previous utterances had irritated them, and upon whom they threatened vengeance, but their quest failed. Other leaders whose meetings were ' broken up had to receiv.e, police protection. At night a demonstrative crowd gathered outside the Communist rooms. The police were in strong force, and prevented the tip of the meeting proceeding inside k .. i Amongst the Domain meetings was one organised by the Australian Labour . Party section of the Returned Sailors' and Soldiers' League, who displayed a banner but no Union Jack. This m- |^ censed the crowd, who demanded the of the Union Jack. They finally the platform, hoisted the Union and dispersed the meeting. The demonstration was. a memorable against anti-loyalty.