RUSSIAN REVOLUTION

Northern Advocate, 27 November 1928, Page 2

RUSSIAN REVOLUTION

CELEBRATED BY “-COMRADES.”

COMMUNIST GESTURE

(Sy d ncy Corre sp op. de n t.)

If the throat of Communism in Australia is to be measured by the character of the “demonstration” held in the Domain,to celebrate the 11th anniversary of the Russian Revolution, the most class-conscious capitalist may sleep soundly. The proceeding were milder than a Sunday school, and conducted with an orderliness that would shame any Australian Parliament. The demonstration’s organisers certainly did their best. The blood-red flag of revolution flapped from a platform conspicuously placed in the middle of the park. A band of six instruments opened the proceedings with the “Internationale.” A couple of score of sharp-featured men wore red ribbons ,in their buttonholes, and called each other “comrade,” It looked as if politico-economic theories were going to be served up smoking hot. A crowd of a thousand quiet, welldressed people gathered themselves unobtrusively arourd the fringe of the circle.

A number of gentlemen of aggressive type, <who obviously did not like Communists, appeared in the audience, evidently ready to say a few firm words to any speaker whose conduct might be regarded as nationally objectionable. But nothing happened. The Communists confined their attention to Russia;, and the aggressive gentlemen went off and heckled Mr Kay. Mr Norman Jeffries, who was Australian delegate to the Fourth Congress of the Red /Internationale, held in Moscow in March,>l92B, praised industrial and social conditions as he found them in Russia.

Mr Mick Ryan, representing the Trades and Labour , Council, urged them to take pride in the name of “Communist” and “Bolshevik” when applied to them, and not, by resenting such terms, give point to the “vile propaganda of the capitalistic Press.” Miss Isaacs, a girl of very youthful appearance,, representing the “Militant Women’s Group,” described the condition of women in Soviet Russia. A considerable section of the audience left, apparently to inquire concerning a certain liveliness in an adjoining I.W.W. meeting.

One comrade dealt with the waterfront “dog licenses,” and the fact that the Melbourne police had not done what was expected in the circumstances, and, aimed “below the belt.” A young Russian, who could not speak English, addressed' the gathering in Russian “for the benefit of those comrades who spoke Russian only. ’ ’ Evidently, they were very few, because the audience dwindled fast. Another speaker described conditions in and by this time the audience consisted mostly of the comrades, the police, and a couple of pressmen.

Miss Nelson, another very youthful lady, representing the “Women’s Militant Branch,” gave an address on economics which’ brought the audience round again.

Mr Joe Shelley, dealing with the imprisonment of Mr Jacob .Johnson, made the only militant speech’ of the afternoon. He said that Mr Johnson was a martyr, and that the workers would soon put Mr Tom Walsh 1 ' whore ho ought to be, ”

{ A man with a loud voice said that where Mr Shelley ought to be was behind iron bars.

Mr Shelley and the interrupter exchanged remarks* of a very personal character, Mr Shelley said that Mr Johnson went to gaol as the result of a frame-up, which was a worse conspiracy than that against the I.W.W. The band played “The {Red Flag.” A few ef the men present bared thdfLr heads. Mr 'Shelley called for “three cheers for, the revolution —and let it be soon. ” About ten persons cheered.