COMMUNISM.

Otago Witness, Issue 3898, 27 November 1928, Page 17

COMMUNISM.

IS THREAT REAL? A SYDNEY “DEMONSTRATION.” (From Our Own Correspondent.) SYDNEY, November 8. Is the threat of Communism in Aus: tralia real? If it is is to be measured by the character of the “ demonstration ’’ held in the Sydney Domain on Sunday afternoon to celebrate the eleventh anniversary of the Russian revolution, the most class-conscious capitalist may sleep soundly. The proceedings were milder than a Sunday school, and were conducted with an orderliness that would shame any Australian Parliament. Nevertheless, the “ demonstration ” served to reveal to a few Sydney people the character of some of the “ revolutionists ” who are living in their midst. The organisers of the demonstration certainly did their best. The bloodred flag of revolution flapped from the platform which was consicuously placed in the centre of the Domain. A band of six instrumentalists opened the proceedings with the “Internationale.” A couple of score of sharp-featured men wore red ribbons in their buttonholes, and they called one another “ comrade.” It looked as if politico-economic theories were going to be served up piping hot. A crowd of 1000 quiet, well-dressed people gathered quickly, and a number of police placed themselves unobtrusively around the fringe of the circle. A number of gentlemen of the aggressive type who were not Communists "helped to swell the crowd. They were evidently ready to say a few firm words to any speaker whose conduct might be regarded as nationally objectionable, but the proceedings were so tame that they transferred their attentions to other speakers. The first speaker was Mr Norman Jeffries, who was the Australian delegate to the Fourth Congress of the Red Internationale, held at Moscow-in March, 1928, and he praised the industrial and social conditions as he found them in Russia. He was followed by Mr M. Ryan, representing the Sydney Trades and Labour Council, who urged the people of Sydney to take pride in the name of “ Communist ” and “ Bolshevist ” when applied to them, and not, by resenting such terms, give point to the “ vile- propaganda of the capitalistic press.” A very little girl, introduced as Miss Isaacs, said that she represented the “ Militant Women’s Group,” and she described the condition of the women of Russia. A considerable section of the audience displayed a lack of interest in Russian women and left to attend a nearby I.W.W. meeting, where things had warmed up a little. One comrade dealt- with the waterfront stiike and referred to the licenses of transport workers as “ dog licenses.” He said that when the Melbourne police fired at the mob they did exactly what was expected of them in the circumstances—they had hit below the belt. A young Russian who could not speak English gave his address in Russian, for the benefit of those Russians who did not speak English.” Evidently there were very few of these, for the crowd rapidly drifted away. By the time another girl, also representing the “ Militant Women’s Branch,” had appeared on the platform not more than a dozen people remained, including six policemen and two reporters. So the band played the “ Red Flag,” while the “comrades” stood bareheaded.