“THE FLAG”

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14658, 23 May 1921, Page 3

“THE FLAG”

______ « GREAT DL'IVIONdTRATiON IIK.MAIIKAHI.iK SGKNKS L\ SYDNEY DOMAIN. HKD BANNER BLUNT. The following furtlier particulars are to hand in respect to Hie conflict which took place in the Domain, Sydney, on Sunday, May 8, when a parly of soldiers burnt the Bed Flag and look part in an onslaught on the Socialist parly. The description of the scenes are from the Daily Telegraph: “Where is your Hag?” It, was one voice in a crowd of men and women, most of whom were hostile. Not hostile to "The Flag,” but to the great demonstration that rang in every part of the Domain. The Returned Soldiers and Sailors' Political League, A.L.P, Section, held a meeting near the back gate of the Sydney Hospital. At ,‘i o'clock it, bad attracted about 500 people, and it seemed as if it would be Ihc lamest gathering on the ground. But very soon the cry, "Where’s your flag?" was repented. Another voice took up the refrain, while others shouted for the interjcctors to shut up and leave the Labour parly alone. There was no flag display from the A.L.P. lorry, but there was a large banner bearing the words, “Returned Soldiers and Sailors’ A.L.P. Section." Digger Dunn presided, and very soon the sound of cheers arose. “Cheers for the Hag?" queried someone who had just arrived. "No,” same the reply. “Cheers for the Labour Party and Australia.” The crowd gathered strongly, and a Sinn Feiner created a lively diversion by denouncing the A.L.P. for not coming directly out on. the side of Ireland and the revolutionaries, and condemning the flag-flappers all round. "Co back to Ireland," he was told by an iiale soldier, and again the call came, "Where’s your flag?” Red Flag Disclaimed. Digger Dunn declared early in the meeting that Hie returned soldiers in the A.L.P. had nothing to do with the Red Flag, and there was nothing connected with the Red Flag in the A.L.P. objective. "Why don't you show your flag" came, another demand from near Hie platform. Digger Dunn went on to attack Hie Returned Soldiers and Sailors’ Imperial League, which, he said, had lost Hie respect of Hie majority of the soldiers of Australia.• The platform ol Hie A.L.P. was to place the citizens above soldiers. There were a few cheers, and again there was excitement when Hie militant Irishman returned to attack the A.L.P. for not coming out in the open. The Diggers Arrive. Corporal Murphy, M.L.A., secretary of Hie league, had arrived, and suddenly a burst of cheering arose from Hie edge of the crowd. A body of returned soldiers, bearing a large Union Jack, fresh from other Victories, began to force their way towards the platform. A number of police constables who were wailing around pecting an attack immediately fought their way to the front of the platform, and stood on guard. The great crowd cheered wildly. There was a rush from all parts of the ground, and a mass of struggling humanity surged around the lorry. Women screamed and men shouted. It was an exciting scene. Tho Flag Waved. On Hie vehicle were u number ul men and several women. Some fled ul the Hist onslaught, but others, more venturesome, clambered up to see belter. The soldiers had managed to runic within a few feet of the platform, and Corporal Murphy reached forward and took Hie pole it was fastened to. He waved it several times, and someone else waved a small Australian flag on a stick. The A.L.P. Loyal. There was comparative quietness for a while, and Corporal Murphy began to address the multitude. He claimed that the A.L.P, was as loyal as any body on the ground, but Hie soldiers had come to disorganise its meeting. ‘‘Shut up,” somcoifc shouted. “Wind about Hie flag?" “I am as proud of that flag as I am of the Australian flag,” Corporal Murphy retorted. Thera was a diversion when Digger Dunn held aloft? in his arms a small hoy dressed in something like an A.I.F. uniform. The hoy waved proudly a long red, white and blue ribbon. Thai pleased the crowd, and corporal Murphy look the opportunity to continue ids address. He said that there were a great many people in the Domain who were there merely for the purpose of providing a little fun. There were others out to demonstrate, not by loud-mouHied utterances, that they were true British subjects, not clap ■ trapping boodlers. (Cheers). “You can shout as much as you like; the fact remains,” he continued —and then it came. The Count Out. “One, two, fhree, four, live, si:;, seven, eight, nine, out!" roared the Diggers with ore voice. The belligerent Irishman joined in Ihc hubbub and challenged Digger Dunn. There was an ominous sway in Hie crowd, and the police put their backs ill with a will to keep order. Digger Dunn appealed for peace, and Corporal Murphy coniimicd to shout his speech. Again lie wys counted out. Someone on Hie platform waved the flag in a conciliatory manner, and Corporal Murphy tried to make himself heard amidst the uproar. Again and again lie was counted out, and Hie soldiers in front showed signs of rushing the I lalform. Several women jumped off in fright, and ran for safely. AH round the crowd roared, and Corporal Murphy was heard |o say Dial lids was a. deliberate attempt to smash Hie mu cling. Cheering and eotinlcr-chcor-ing continued, and the police actiudy 1 c pt the crowd, which was filled with excitement, in cheek. A.L.P. Banner Torn Down. Several soldiers, who had worked themselves round to Hie hack of tho Dully, mounted the corners. The police divined what they were after, aid made a rush, in a flash I lie banner was lorn flown, and a crowd of so-.-diers rushed Hie platform. The A.L.P. soldiers and helpers were bundled off, ,• Hal a cheering body of Diggers claimed Hiemsclvcs in possession. Cheers and hoots sought for mastery. The A.L.P. men talked of Jam • kinisin, and the police hurried through Hie press at the back of Hie lorry a n an whose face streamed with blood Horn a wound above Hie nose. 1! si emed as if pandemonium hud broken h use. Red Flag Burned. A few seconds later Hie soldiers left the lorry. As they jumped off one man wlio remained, grabbed a piece of red hunting from Ins pocket and struck a match. The crowd yetted, and several police dived for him. He was off like a shot, and inspeclor Nelson and ten 1 oily constables captured the lorry. There was another tumult of cheers and counter cheers as from among Hu soldiers Hie red Mag was held up. wll ahglit. It burned for a liHle while, and tiie noise gradually subsided. The

soldiers seemed to have satisfied themselves. They had burned the red flag. Hot Words and Blows. But the crowd was still in a ferment. Arguments broke out every few minutes, and several onslaughts wore made by the police on combat ants, when hot words had led to lik ws. Tile police retained command of Hie lorry for some minutes, and then they abandoned their prize. No one seemed to want it, and, as there was stilDa menacing feeling apparent, they put their shoulders lo the wheel and drugged it right away to the roadway. The meeting was over, and there 'was only one casually, but Hie crowd l ung around for a long lime, discussing Hie incidents of the afternoon.