DOWN WITH KINGS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17527, 2 May 1925, Page 1

DOWN WITH KINGS.

REV J. H. G. CHAPPLE’S i OUTBURST. “ AS SOON PRAY FOR WEASEL.” ‘T would just as soon pray for a Avcasel as a king,” declared the Rev J. H. G. Chappie in the course of an address at the May Day celebrations held a-t the Trades Hall last night. Mr Chappie, who has just returned front a trip to the Old Country, said that the trouble with the Labour movement in England was that the people did not know what they wanted. What they really ranted was Communism. Trade unionism was all right, but it was not an end ; it was only a means towards the goal of Communism. They would not get anywhere by' of the Arbitration Court because the Judge, on account of his education an ! upbringing, belonged to a certain pi ass anil it was hot the Avurkers’ class. They might get an increase of 2s 6d a week in wages, but, if the cost of living Avent up by 2s 9d a Aveek, what benefit had they received? It was like putting 2s 6d in one pocket and taking 2s 9d out of the other. He did not wish to decry trade unionism. It was necessary but it- should not be regarded as the ultimate end. The goal Avas Communism and they could not ha

both Communism and Monarchy. He could not understand how a. Labour member of Parliament, who spoke against the Monarchy on live platform, could take the oath of allegiance. One day a little boy told his mother that he had learned two songs ab .school, “God Save the Weasel” and “Pop Goes the lying.' 5 “Personally.” added Mr Chappie amidst laughter. “X would as soon pray for a weasel as a king.” They must cud the modem State as it existed in the interests of the privileged class and Lo do this they would have to get riel of Monarchy. I’hey must set up an industrial parliament and ignore all others and simply resort to civil disobedience. The next speaker (the Mayor-elect, the Kev J. lv. Archer; after thanking those present for their warm welcome, •referred to the question of the MoaUon lor the people to decide and he thought that if a plebiscite of Hie British Umpire were taken it would be found mat <f> or bO per cent of tin people would be in favour ol Hie Mom areny. They might be wrong or Kiev might be right but so long as thj people supported Monarchy he (th >. I s pea iter) would certainly take the oath ui allegiance if he entered ran lament, lie thought that his election had sen' a. throb throughout- the whole of the Labour movement in ,\gvv Zealand. LJ ■ had received a iargw number of telegiamx of congratulation, and they showed that the whole or the Labour movement ol the country was interesteu and that New Zealand was ripe for a great forward movement. He realised that the of lice of Mayor would entail a great deal oi responsibility and -i great deal of work, hut he also thought that he would have a lot of fun. Ht expected that on the new council he would be like Daniel in t-lie lions’ den, but he would remind them that according to the Biblical story Daniel canie out alive. (Laughter.) He hoped would bo able 10 show the people of Christchurch what Labour people really were and what Socialists really were. What they had to do was to show that Socialism was a great, grand ami glorious proposition along the lines ol brotherhood. He believed that Labour had got such, a lift in Christchurch that it would go on and do far greater things. Another speaker of the evening, Mr P. C. Webb, declared that what was wanted was more solidarity amongstthe workers. At the present time ! there was too much of “1 won't vot. ■ for that man because he is a parson.” - or ‘T Avon’t vote for Paddy Webb because he parts his hair down the mid- i die.” The latter remark caused much ! hearty laughter because Mr Webb is i quite bald. Continuing. Mr Webb said that he hoped that by next Mav Day they would have a Labour Government in. New Zealand, and in two

years' time they would have a Labour council iu Christchurch. At the conclusion of the addresses, tlxe following resolution was carried j “We representing the workers of ; Christchurch in this May Day celebration assembled. send fraternal greetings to the workers of all lauds, particularly of Japan, and dedicate ourselves anew to the struggle against the world-wide exploitation of capitalist Jmeprialisin, and to the work ot not merely extending the sphere of the eight hour day. but of replacing the entire wage system by j international Socialism. Away witii j the exploitation of man by man! ' Long live the international fratem- | ity of all. workers! Long live tire ! economic and pol.il ieal federation of | a socialised humanity! ” JAPANESE PARADES. By Telegraph -Bress.Association- Copyright Reuter’s Telegrams (Received May 2. 11.10 a.m.) TOKIO. May 1. During the May Day demonstration iii Osaka 30.000 workers, including Korean-. paraded the streets under the | close vigilance of the police, but the .-eremonic - terminated without serious POLICE GUARD BUILDINGS IN NEW YORK. 1 By Telegraph -Tress Association—Copy right Reuter's Telegrams. (Received May 2, 10. ‘JO .. m.\ NEW YORK, May 1. The police guarded ail public buildings and the homes of noted men and public officials during May Day. HAVANA TAKES A HOLIDAY. (Received May 2. 10.30 a-in.) HAVANA. May 1. Drivers of street cars, 'buses and taxi-cabs remained away from their posts on May Day, md the workers held a meeting and parade.