COMMUNIST CAMP

Hokitika Guardian, 9 January 1932, Page 6

COMMUNIST CAMP

INSTRUCTION OF SYDNEY CHILDREN. JUVENILE BRANCHES OF THE MOVEMENT. SYDNEY, January 2. The latest move in the education of the children of Sydney in the principles of Communism has been the establishment on the' banks ol the Georges j river, not far From the City, of a I special instructional camp on an elaborate scale. During the past year evi- . deuce lias not been lacking ol the in- J roads of the Communist movement on the minds of the children. Stories ol the introduction of Communism into tlie playing grounds have been well substantiated, and in many of the suburbs tbe juvenile branches ol the movement have been flourishing. Man.y boys have openly boasted ol tbe advantages of Communism over existing social structures although, obviously they have been too young to nucleistand 'what they are talking about, and certainly far too young to impress any adult. The Sydney camp which was opened on Tuesday last is for boys ol from eight to 14 years of age, and although tliev will be permitted to engage in games and swimming, the main idea is to instruct them in Communism, and a greater part of each day is taken op with such lessons. The boys assembled at one of the suburban rooms of the Unemployed Workers’ Movement" a distinctly Communistic organisation, anj most of them wore red neckties and red sashes. While waiting for the signal to lie off they crowdround a piano, played by one of their teachers, and .sang lustily “The Red Flag,” “Solidariyt for Ever,” and other songs. Alter a while they formed up outside and were headed by a boy of 12 who bore a scarlet pennant on which was emblazoned the Soviet symbol of the sickle and ham-

mer. The children were laden with small swags and blankets, and were accompanied by several young men, one of whom wore a red beret. Beware of Photographers. It was evident that the children had received strict instructions to beware of photographers. Whenever a camera was focused upon them there was a general scatter. On one occasion, when a Press photographer approached the standard-bearer hastily furled his flag and ran to shelter. The procession broke up and the cameraman was hooted. When one little fellow was asked why he objected to his photograph being taken lie showed by Ids reply that he had been well trained already in the principles of Communism. “It will be used against us,” lie said. “We are .the Sydney.” When if, was explained to him that most of the pioneers were dead, lie said: "We are the pioneers of the new Party. It rs better than the Labour Party. You are sent out here by the bosses ol the capitalistic Press.” Eflurts were made to interview other members of the Party, but these were unsuccessful, and a shower of stones from nearby bushes signalised the departure of the Press car.

Later Pressmen visited the camp, but they were warned oil' by the commandant, who said lie wanted nothing to do with capitalistic firms. All information relative' to the camp was refused, and the language used, even in front of the little Communists, was hardly polite.