THE RED PERIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 November 1922, Page 4

THE RED PERIL.

The advent of the Conservatives to office in the Motherland has been signalised by a burst of activity on the part of the Labor extremists allied to the belligerent Communists, with headquarters at Moscow. It is quite possible that the party of violence and disruption consider the present an opportune time to make a. demonstration in force, reckoning on the pacific policy of the Conservatives as a sign of weakness, especially in view of the large addition to the Labor members in Parliament. As a matter of course the unemployed problem is seized upon as the reason for the demonstration, while the first trial of strength consists of an endeavor to force the Premier to receive a deputation of unemployed, and refusing to be satisfied with an interview with the Minister of Labor. There appears to be good grounds for belief that the real aim of the demonstrators was not to obtain a pronouncement from the Government, but was rather the outcome of a deliberate plot by the Reds to create disorder, probably in the hope of being able to indulge in looting and violence. The movement is one that has been in preparation for some time, awaiting the result of the elections. So long as the Coalition Government was in power the Communists knew only too well that the full force of the country was behind the Government and they dared not attempt any definite move towards chaos and disruption. Happily the protection of life and property is not dependent on any form of Government that may be in office. The London police force is charged with the responsibility, and, if required, that force can be supplemented on an emergency by the military. The cabled messages convey some idea, of how the police—mounted and foot — deals with mobs of demonstrators and prevents them getting out of hand. The police, as such, are outside polities, their business being to maintain law and order, protect life and property and pre vent (if possible) outbreaks of violence. The way in which they shepherded a huge crowd of unruly elements and prevented this rough mob from entering the precincts of Whitehall and Downing Street shows how well they understand their work. It is stated that many of the demonstrators

were armed with knives and revolvers, while all carried sticks, so that the germs of tragedy were not absent. The ugly feature of the affair is its connection with the Bolshevists, but as the police authorities are quite alive to the machinations of these firebrands it may be assumed the danger is no greater now than it has been for several years. It is, however, quite apparent that the Govern merit must take all due precautions to prevent the menace spreading, and the surest method is to tackle the unemployment problem as a matter of urgency, espeer ’v as the unemployed are being instigated by a. well-known Communist to fight the police. It would be a good move if an international congress were held for the purpose of taking concerted action against the Communists, Bolsheviks, and others who are endeavoring to substitute chaos for law and order, for the Red peril is a matter of world-wide importance, and should be dealt with as a common menace.