SCENE IN COMMONS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22045, 27 February 1935, Page 11

SCENE IN COMMONS

PROTEST BY UNEMPLOYED

LEAFLETS FROM GALLERY (Received February 26, 8.45 p.m.) LONDON. Feb. 25 Following the refusal of Mr. Oliver Stanley, Minister of Labour, to see a deputation of 50 unemployed at the Ministry of Labour, the men visited Downing Street, and left a letter of protest for the Brime Minister, Mr. Eamsay Mac Donald. They did the same at the offices of the Unemployment Assistance Board.

Later there was a sequej in the House of Commons when an obviously organised disturbance broke out in the gallery. Several men/ shouted: " Down with the Unemployment Act " and " Down with the Government." They then hurled down large numbers of green leaflets. Two men violently resisted attempts to evict them and had to be dragged out. Other sympathisers were shepherded out quietly. The tumult was over in a couple of minutes. The leaflets, which were signed on behalf of the Independent Labour and Communist Parties, protested against " the wholesale starvation of men, women and children." Some time later the police had to eject a large crowd from the central hall of Parliament. About 100 Com- ■ munists had gathered seeking interviews with members and tickets for the gallery. Some of them began to shout the usual cries, whereupon the police cleared the hall.