HEAVY RAIN DAMPS ARDOUR OF ELECTORS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18468, 21 May 1928, Page 4

HEAVY RAIN DAMPS ARDOUR OF ELECTORS.

GERMAN COMMUNISTS OWE THEIR STRENGTH TO GOOD ORGANISATION. (United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Received May 21. 2 p.m.) LONDON, May 20. A Berlin correspondent of “The Times” says that a continuous downpour during polling hours damped all external manifestation of political excitement in to-day’s elections. The streets were drenched and empty except for little knots of party supporters, with limp placards. The voters mostly adjourned to the beer shops. The display of flags provided the only possible index to the trend of political feeling. There was a sprinkling of old Monarchist colours in the better class districts, and the Red flag was prominent in the poorer quarters, but the Republican flag predominated nearly everywhere. A visit to the Communist headquarters for the purpose of inspecting election propaganda revealed that the strength *>f the party lies in its organisation. The interior resembles a Government office in a more modern capital, labyrinthine tiled and distempered coiridors hurrying officials, numbered and ticketed doors from which discreet, preoccupied individuals conduct business. This powerful organisation is centred in Berlin, but embraces the whole cf the industrial area of' western Germany. The Communists give startling evidence of the resources at their disposal. One can only speculate as to where the monetary support is drawn from. Picked “Red front fighters” today attended most of the polling stations.—“ Times” Cables.