:abor Confrence

NZ Truth, Issue 985, 11 October 1924, Page 5

:abor Confrence

AN IMPRESSION

(From "Truth's" Sydney Rep.) "You're a liar!" The words cut the smoke-laden air with the vicious snarl of a whip-lash. A hundred pairs of eyes are concentrated on the Comrade who flings this taunt at the Comrade who is speaking: 'He is pallid with fury. "You're another," is the hot retort,-and the speaker's walruslike moustache bristles fiercely. The chairman waves a large, soft hand helplessly.

In a corner, regardless of the scene, twjD other Comrades, working, for the coming of the time when men shall be brothers, peace as a river, and joy like the waves of the- sea; are discussing another Comrade. •> "He's a crook, and a ballot faker," says one. "Don't I krioAV it?" is the response. "He'd pinch the pennies off a dead baby' ; s eyes." "I think I'll go 'ome; this is only a dope dispensary,"" another Comrade calls across to, a neighbor. "A gang of bloodsuckers," is the answer. ''-»'' There is a thundering smash at. the door, a roar,* the doorkeepers x stagger

back, and a surging mob rush into the hall, cheering-, Singing snatches of the "Red Flag" ■ and other Communist ballads. Business is suspended while the riot rages, and a red-faced Comrade with a mission to emancipate the human race and save. our decadent" and effete AngloSaxon civilisation from decay, unlimbers an incarnadine,d rag, pinched from a Pitt Street auction-shop, and waves it frantically. " ,'B's emancipatin' the pore workers — I don't think," remarks a hairy delegate from the West to a little fat man. "Them Com-moonists is pizen — that's wot I think," he adds, as he helps a badly-scared woman delegate to 'reach the platform and safety. >.