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Hokitika Guardian, 22 October 1931, Page 4

According to the cable news from Aus. tralia, events are shaping there of rather an untoward character. The position seems to be quite out of keeping with the economical position of the Commonwealth, and the steps being taken must be a hard brake oil the efforts of the authorities to restore the financial equilibrium. The repetition of strikes at the present juncture suggests that there is a very disloyal element associated with the leadership of the unionists. This suggests that there is much in the .statements mnde from time to time that Russian influences are at work to foment trouble. The Communistic elements appear to be the tools in this c-ase, and the influence for evil appears to have invaded many industrial avenues. There is evidence that this devastating organisation is to he countered bv an unofficial but progressodlv loyal organisation called the New Guard. This is a new element,

end it is coining into the open with a plain statement of its objective. It is of course quite an unconstitutional organisation, and it says something for the supineness of both the vState and Federal Government when citizens goaded to desperation by the disastrous drift that is occurring, are permitted to organise openly in this manner. The position recalls the state of affairs in New Zealand some years ago when the farmers of the North Island had to organise and ride into Wellington to see that the country’s produce was loaded for export. Something similar is now threatened in- . Sydney by the New Guard for the spokesmen speaks in no uncertain way. The Government has a. duty to see that the law is respected and obeyed, and failing constitutional action, the New Guard threatens to deal with the situation in its own way. The course of events will be followed with some concern, for overt action bv the Guard will create a situation which is something of a challenge to the Government. It will be a new form of rebellion, the rebels seeking to replace the weak administration for the national welfare, Groat possibilities arc not unlikely.