BOLSHEVIK COMEDY IN MELBOURNE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 142, 5 March 1918, Page 6

BOLSHEVIK COMEDY IN MELBOURNE

SOCIALIST DELEGATION TO RUSSIA. - .Some time ago a number of sympathisers in Melbourne with the Bolshevik Government decided to send a delegation to Russia "to find out what the true position was." They fixed upon Mr. A. W. Foster, a young barrister. A couple of supporters, who are wellknown business, men in the city, promised to foot the bill. Just then the Socialist Party intervened.' It complained that Mr. Foster would speak in Petrograd as a Melbourne Socialist; yet the Socialists had been given no voice in his selection. They demanded that the delegate should be selected by a vote of the party. This course was decided upon. The two business men who had promised to pay expenses urged that as the Socialist Party had called the tune it should now pay the piper. Eventually it was arranged, however, that the "Capitalistic Socialists" should advance the money without interest and that the party should elect a delegate. There were two nominations—Messrs. Frank Anstey, M.H.R., and A. W. Foster. Socialists in the other States decided to give' the chosen delegate credentials, so that he was to speak for the "United Australian Party." 1 "When the vote was taken further complications arose. The Labour Party raised the question whether one of its members should speak for any party but itself. Mr. Anstey is, of course, a member of the party. It was therefore decided to refrain from counting the vote till this and other matters had been settled. Having elected their man, it was deemed necessary to determine why he was elected and for whom he was to speak. Meanwhile things are getting very complicated in Russia—presumably because of the delay in getting either Mr. Anstey or Mr. Foster to the scene. It was decided, in view of the unsettled state of the country, to insure the life of the delegate. And it is thought probable that the Federal Government will make assurance doubly sure by refusing passports.