BRITISH UNEMPLOYED

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18332, 26 February 1934, Page 11

BRITISH UNEMPLOYED

DEMONSTRATION ENDS HYDE PARK INCIDENTS “COMMUNISTS’ DUPES” (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United. Press Assn.) (Received Feb. 26, 3 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 25. r Eight coal carts provided platforms for 100 speakers in succession at the Hyde Park demonstration. The speakers included Mr. James Maxton, Mr. Wal. Hannington, Mr. S« Saklatvala, and Mr. Fenner-Brookwav, but not Mi*. Tom Mann and Mr. Harry Pollitt, whose attendance was considered ‘inadvisable. Mr. Hannington advocated a mass strike movement throughout, the country, with the objective of establishing a socialist republic. He declared: “We are not going to give another inch to this, or any other,. Fascist Government.’ A suffragette, Mrs. Despard, a sister of 'the late Lord Ypres, now nearly 90 years of age, was cheered as she was assisted to a seat beside Miss Ellen Wilkinson and Mr. Maxton. Dozens of packets of cigarettes rained on the Walstfi contingent when Mr. Hannington asked the crowd to give them a smoke. All the speakers demanded the withdrawal of the Unemployment Bill, the abolition of the means test, and a nationwide programme of employment at trade union rates. Hundreds of the audience soon driftedaway to listen to a negro racing tipster, while little boys continued a vigorous football game nearby. A bugle call at 5 p.m. signalled the synchronous putting of the resolution, which was unanimously carried. A domestic touch was the Scottish marchers’ field kitchen, an old fourseater motor car laden with stoves, pots, and pans, and occupied by tired redsoarved men, its battered bonnet bearing a chalked presentment of a sickle and hammer, and the motto: “Down with the slave bill.” Other marchers entered amid cheers, chanting the “Internationale.” Bagpipe and other bands headed the various contingents, including many women.Londoners carried children and led boys by the hand. A roar of disapproval greeted a party of green shirts, who were mistaken for Fascists, until a Communist cheer corrested the error. Reading and Oxford undergraduates marched to the slogan “Red students join the Red workers.” Numerous banners and streamers included a portrayal of Mr. MacDonald as a dragon, inscribed: “The Westminster Monster.” The rain ceased after a heavy downpour had driven hundreds to shelter., The crowd generously filled the marchers’ money boxes, despite the distribution of Economic League pamphlets deprecating the monetary aid, and characterising the demonstrators as Communists’ dupes. The proceedings were orderly with the exception of abuse of the police when a man and a girl stumbled and fell as mounted police moved on the crowd to keep the motors circulating. The diversion of traffic was reduced to a minimum. , The demonstration ended, the processions were remarshalied under police guidance, and marched back to their respective rendezvous, bands playing and colors flying, through avenues of cheering crowds. All was over.