FRINGES OF TRUTH

Southland Times, Issue 19099, 17 November 1923, Page 9 (Supplement)

FRINGES OF TRUTH

THE KOMING OF THE v

(By

"Rufus.")

For some time past there have been disquieting rumours prevalent to the effect that the Ku Klux Klan has decided to extend its activities to Australia and New’ Zealand. At the same time we have cabled to us from the States a further budget of cables describing the hair-raising exploits of the Klan, in the Land of Liberty. All the year we have been regaled with aweinspiring descriptions of shootings and dynamitings and bloodshed, the latest being an account of the cold-blooded murder of a lawyer who was apparently rash enough to take a member of the Klan as a client. We are horrified to learn that the police are powerless, that the Klan even have their representatives in the Government. We congratulated ourselves on the fact that nothing of this sort could ever come to pass in our midst, but little did we dream of the insidious and deadly forces that were at work in our midst. But my eyes have been opened to the horror that is in our midst. I have a startling announcement to make—keep your seats please. The Klan has reached Invercargill! I have no desire to raise a scare, or to exaggerate the case, but I fear there can be no mistaking the signs. The first intimation I received was about a week ago. I was sitting reading on my verandah, when suddenly I was electrified to see the front gate swing slowly open and a furtive, bearded fellow, closely muffled, with a felt hat crammed down over hia eyes, entered stealthily. His pug-toed boots and hornrimmed spectacles told me instantly that he was a foreigner, probably an American. From his pocket he drew a red pamphlet and dropped it quietly on the garden path. Then, seeing me, he started guiltily and withdrew 7 . With distinct feelings of apprehension I went and picked up the red leaflet. On. the cover was the ominous i inscription in black letters, “K.K.K. is Here.” Crusoe discovering the footprints on the sand was not more thunder-struck ' than myself. Already I saw quiet little Invercargill convulsed by intrigues, murders, dissensions. Already I saw the masked riders careering through Dee street, already .... My brain reeled. On turning over the leaflet I was not altogether surprised to find that K.K.K. was supposed to stand for Keeler’s Korn Kure. I realised then the diabolical cunning of these spies of the Klan. They were putting abroad their devilish propaganda under the guise of advertisement. For some weeks nothing further happened to cause alarm, till one day all my suspicions were confirmed and intensified. I was making some small purch*e at my draper’s and had occasion to inquire of him how business was progressing. His look suddenly became furtive, and, looking round to make sure that no one was within earshot, he leaned across the counter and whispered, “White calico has gone up tw r opence a yard.” Could anything be more convincing? I repeat, the Klan has reached Invercargill. Citizens, awake! From a very reliable and accredited source (and I must ask you to regard this as strictly confidential) comes, a disquieting hint to the effect that the S.* A * * * * was S ***** y, one of the most influential organisations in the province, has negotiations in hand for affiliation with the Klan, and has over a mile of calico on order. There is a further rumour to the effect that at a secret conclave the title of Grand Kleagle was conferred on the Chief of the organisation referred to. Certain persons will be regretting certain statements they made about a certain poet. Personally, I ■ intend to place myself under police protection at the first sign of trouble. Yet in its way the Ku Klux Klan is an excellent organisation and if it could be diverted to proper uses it should prove of inestimable benefit to the town. There is absolutely no reason why the advent of the Klan should not be made the nucleus of a Brighter Invercargill Movement. Few will deny that the place needs infusing with a little “pep,” and what better stimulant than Klannism. Who, for instance, has not experienced the depressing atmosphere of Dee street at nine o’clock on a Saturday night? What could be duller than the spectacle of the mighty populace surging aimlessly up and down the footpaths, hopelessly bored and hopelessly Imagine what a pleasantly thrilling surprise there would be if every light were to go out, plunging the city in darkness, and a band of white-hooded horsemen were to come sweeping up Dee street with a whoop and a clatter. It would simply be the making of the town. Tourists and moving picture men would flock here from all over the world. We would attain pleasing notoriety through the medium of the cables. People would read with amazement of desperate doings in Invercargill, of alarms and night raids, and of dark doings by masked men. To all who are interested in the boost Southland” campaign the idea will appeal instantly, and I think the League would do well to give the K.K.K. a start here along the right lines.