SYDNEY’S “NEW GUARD.”

Hokitika Guardian, 17 November 1931, Page 8

SYDNEY’S “NEW GUARD.”

ATTACK ON COMMUNISM. “Not only 'Colonel Eric Campbell, but his family have been threatened with personal violence,” said Mr G. Hughes, officer commanding Rose Bay locality, B2 division, at a meeting of the New Guard at Double- Bay, Sydney, last week.

Colonel Campbell said that the first, message he wished to give was that the New Guard wat never so strong, never so loyal, more determined, or more united than at present. If the criminals or potential criminals who were controlling the Communist party endeavoured to turn the State, and to twist the aims of the legislators, then, the New Guard would prevent that from taking place. (Mr J. ,S. Garden had stated during the shipping strike that the issue was the New Guard. He (Colonel Campbell), admitted that the issue was the New (Guard,, and what he meant by that was that the issue was whether loyalty, solidity, and decency were to prevail, or whether the forces of the underworld wer,e to he in control. This was a time for facings facts and a time for definite heroic measures. If the forces of law and order were unable to cope with the situation then each and every one of the New Guard would be prepared to sacrifice everything for the principles they held dear. The forces of the Communists ■Were working 24-■ hours a day under direct orders of the Red International. The shipping strike was a, prelude to a series of strikes to paralyse the shipping industry of the State.

“I propose to continue to advocate the principles of the New Guard—principles of decent citizenship, without fear or favour,” Colonel Campbell concluded. “I don’t care whether anybody likes it o,r not, but I realise that I am representing a body of determined men whose only measure of whether a thing is right or wrong is their own conscience.” Later in the week the Federal Treasurer, Mr Theodore, issued a warning to the leaders of the New, Guard. “The activities of Colonel Campbell and his New 'Guard are more likely to provoke disorder than protect the cit’zens,” said Mr Theodore. “The inflammatory speeches made by • him during the seamen’s strike considerably hampered the Commonwealth Government in its efforts to effect a settlement of the trouble. “The- Federal Government, warns the heads- of the New Guard that- their activities can develop into a serious menace to the pqblic.peace, and the Government- will not tolerate for a moment any attempt to usurp the unitary authority by any unofficial armed force on any pretext whatever.”