The May Day Show.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 May 1921, Page 3

The May Day Show.

THANKS FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT.

We were inclined to go and have a

night at the pictures when there came into our bands the issue of the “Groy River Argus” for "May 3rd, wherein we saw four columns devoted to May Day celebration with rebel songs referred to etc. “Begone dull care” we cried; another log of wood was placed'on the fire (we are out of coal at present) and we banished the thought of all things outside, determining to read these four columns of glorious rant or die in the attempt. What a feast of eloquence run mail we then enjoyed. The show opened with a description of the soul shaking procession. Banners of red and letters of silver with ’ mottoes, and glees, and fair maidens, I and the rapt ecstatic crowd. At the j wonderful gathering Mr Turley opened with just the right note, it was a. kind of prayer that everybody in New Zealand would down tools and play—why not? Mr O’Brien made one little mistake in saying that the affair was small, but otherwise his rendition was excellent, more especially his reference to the Socialists who are spending 25,000 years in jail. Mr O’Rourke was somewhat more subtle though quite as fervid. His bint that the Johns should not jail any pals would be appreciated in the right quarters. Mr Davidson travelled a good deal in ancient lands, hut saw red all the way. His chiei difficulty was with Mrs Minerva whom he took’ to be a God. Then came the star Mr Fouriner. It is a pity the Glee Party had not been instructed to render the Ode at opening—“ Star of the evening, beautiful star.” This Communist brother’s speciality is language. His use of the words proletariat, cultural, apotheosis, Ruhrkohlingebit and other simple terms were like a juggler tossing plates—so easy. Whether his quotation of the fool “whose eyes are at the end of the earth” had an application to any present was not made dear, but it was very fine. There was one passage winch ctrep- tears from our (>yes, but whether of grief or laughter, it certainly affected us powerfully. Describing his party he presented it as “an intensive, highly centralised, severely disciplined organisation of the precocious revolutionary element of the working class.” We particularly love that word “precocious.” It is so ‘•childlike and bland” that it carried us rjirbt hack fo Bill Nye. Truthful James and the Heathen Chinee. The resolutions, and the Red flag and the cheers were all carried unanimously amidst j what brother Fouriner would call “tumultuous aspiration of conscious emotion in demonstration of the inter- ; national proletariat determination.” Well! it was all good. We thank the promoters for the entertainment afforded.

To the men and women who work we say “why do that sort of thing?” It is alj very amusing, but it does not help you, not a little hit. (Contributed bv the N.Z. Welfare League).