STORMY MEETING FOR COMMUNIST

Chronicle (Levin), 22 November 1949, Page 6

STORMY MEETING FOR COMMUNIST

Press Associaiionj

"Scarred" Youth As Symbol Of Russia

(Per

NAPIER, NOV. 21. Oaliing himself a symbol of life m Russia, a youth dressed in rags and with whiplash scars painted on his back, appeared out of 'a crowd of more than 300 people and added to the hubbub of a stormy evening when the Communist candidate for Napier, Mr 0. J. 'Brown, held a street meeting. ; • Though * the meeting - began quietly, the infiuence of hecklers in the gathering gradually took effiect, and the crowd was finally greeting with ribald cheers every statement by the candidate". Teen-agers entere& noisily into the heckling, and numerous policemen mingled quietly with the crowd. Mr Brown described Mr C. G. E. Harker, National Party candidate for Hawke's Bay, as a modern Canute trying to s'tqm the tide of communism. ' ' Socialism, ' ' he said, ' 1 is here to stay, whether you like it or not. ' ' At this juncture the spectacle of the ragged individualist materialised. With his "scars" showing through his tattered gafments he intoned: "This is Russia for you and for 15 million otfoers! ' ' J gnoring the . apparition, Mr Brown said: "Both the Labour and National parties are following the same policy A voice: There's no doubt about you! Mr Brown: They are trying to make capitalism work. The apparition: Let's sing "Pack Up Your Troubles" and drown him out. (Cheers). , Mr Brown: How many of these people would eheer in the next depression when Mr Holland jams them into the slave camps, I am the Communist candidate . . . Shouts of " Boo! " supervened, during which Mr Brown raised a clenched fist Mr Siegel Appears Another speaker was introdueed — ■ Mr Ron Siegel, president of the Longburn Freezing Workers' Union and an executive member of the Trades Council. The apparition: Three boos for Mr Siegel! Mr Siegel: Thank you very mueh, ladies and gentlemen. I see you are m a good 7iiood tonight. The Communist Party stands as the only trpe representative of — A voice: Russia! Mr Siegel: . . . of the workers of New Zealand. Both partieij say the Communist Party is geeing for the other side; Labour says we are in the pay of the National Party to split the votes. Well, I publieally disown both parties. Centre of "audience participation" continued to he the ragged youth, and finally a police sergeant had a' quief wo'rd with him. The youth then quitted the limelight muttering: Excuse me, folks, there's no freedom hereP' Mr Siegel said his party was eoncerned about the undemocratic treatment received over tha conduct of its eampaign. Thougli a recognised political party, certain facilities we|i-e denied it. He said: "A few people want to listen to us . . ." Voices: A very few. Mr Sipgel: We have a democratic right to the radioi Heclder: You wouldn't get it in Ruisia. When Mr Siegel finished, the chairman, Mr F. A. Mace, announced cheerily that a good collection from the audience was wanted. Cynical cheers rose. At question time, Mr Brown was asked: ' ' If there is war with Russia which side would you be on?" Mr Brown: The an^wer to that is that Russia is not an aggiossive nation. Questioner: Poooh! Mr Brown: However, if this country were attacked by Russia I would de fend New Zealand. Another voice: What will happen to the civil servants if the Communist

Party gets into power T , Mr Siegel: The Communist Party 1 will not get into power at this election. But when it does there will 06 no I satchel-snatching or bureaucracy "from | the top. And (to another questioner) we are not a Kussian but a New Zealand party. - A voice: The Marx brothers. Tbe meeting terminated in a chorus of boos, while someone on the fringe of the crowd sang lustily: "It's a lie, it's a lie, it's a lie, You know darned well it's a lie ..."