A DEMONSTRATION THREATENED

Hokitika Guardian, 25 August 1930, Page 2

A DEMONSTRATION THREATENED

COMMUNIST FACTION

TO OBSTRUCT DEPARTURE OF AIR FORBES. \ WELLINGTON, August 22. Tliere are two unemployed factions in Wellington, the main organisation being advised by the Trades Hall, the other being a Communist gathering which meets 'in what is known as (‘Liberty Hall”', in Cuba Street. The Communist organisation has been in the limelight more or less during the past month or two owing to its obstructionist ‘tactics. Yesterday a meeting of unemployed was held" in the \Communist headquarters to discuss matters in relation to the coming departure, of Mr Forbes for the Imperial Conference. About two dozen men were present. After discussing, the position, it was moved that the meeting should organise a monster demonstration which would march to the Thorndon Railway Station in order more forcibly to bring to the mind of the Prime Minister his alleged callousness in leaving the country when such a serious state of affairs existed. On being put to the vote the motion was defeated, but the Communist lenders present announced their intention of going on with the demonstration in spite of the decision of the meeting. It was then decided to write to the. unemployed organisation in Auckland —presumably the Communist faction—urging the necessity of a monster demonstration on the wharf when the Aorangi leaves. . The meeting further decided to write to the Auckland branch of the Seamen’s Union urging that members of that union on hoard the Aorangi should be instructed to obstruct the departure of the vessel from New Zealand. ' That the matter was not treated very seriously by the main body of those present! atTth.efipeeting was revealed in a:sngge«tipn 'that two members'of the crqw ;of the Aor'angi should be instructed to arm themseilves with huge liamrpprs and that, when the vessel is inrnidrPacific, the starboard propeller Shaft•should be broken and the ship left- to' /, .The meeting broke up when this suggestion was put in a facetious way by one, of those who had previously voted against the demonstration to the Thorndon Railway Station.