CAMPAIGN BORDERED ON CHILDISHNESS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17879, 22 June 1926, Page 8

CAMPAIGN BORDERED ON CHILDISHNESS.

Times ” Service. LONDON, June 21

The Berlin correspondent of “The Times” states that there were no disturbances because it takes two to make a quarrel, and only one side appeared in strength at the booths, the opponents of confiscation realising that abstention was as effective as a vote nevertheless, beneath the surface there was an ominous undercurrent of feeling. The campaign was so bitter that it bordered on childishness. Neither side showed the slightest restraint, but issued the most extravagant leaflets and caricatures beyond the limits of decency. As a precautionary measure, lorry loads of police followed the Communist processions, the chief feature of which was a man grotesquely caricaturing the ex-Kaiser in an imitation * ermine robe, crown and sceptre, with an exaggerated moustache, haranguing the crowds with ribald speeches in burlesque of the ex-Kaisers former bombast. On the other hand, the Monarchists- cleverly distributed at the last minute leaflets, which purported to emanate from the Socialists, and worded to resemble the most virulent red pamphlets. These described the Princes as abandoned creatures* whose property' ought to be confiscated, and adding the popular war cry, “Not a penny' for the Princes,” but misleadingly finishing: “Therefore, vote Nein,” thus hoping to delude the ignorant into voting against confisca tion under the belief that they were supporting confiscation. The monarchists also announced that anti-confiscationists must not vote, thus intimidating many employees of Monarchist firms, who feared that if they went to the polls it would be known that they voted for confiscation, although the ballot was supposedly secret.