HUNGER MARCHERS

Hokitika Guardian, 29 October 1932, Page 5

HUNGER MARCHERS

HEARING SOUGHT A PETITION TO THE COMMONS (United Pr?so Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) LONDON, October, 27. Mr 'McGovern is presenting a petition to the Commons wherein hunger marchers ash access to the Bar. of the 'House on November 1, to plead, the cause of three million -unemployed. Mr McGovern will .then submit a motion, that the House-;-agree to hear the marchers. . Newspapers generally, correctly stress the contention that -the significance of the disorders find .hooliganism in connection -with the unemployed demontration. at 'Hyde ParK and in the

xeighhourhood is likely to b© exaggerated abroad, whereas -actually they were not -serious^ “The Times}’ -says: “Th©'-publicity 'value of rioting is thoroughly understood by th© organisers of these . senseless demonstrations, under the name of “Hunger 'Marchers,’.’ which implies a state of ■starvation, 'NO dhe 111-England will be -allowed to etafve-through hun- . get," ■ :‘ .- " Th© "Morning post" -says': conduct of the genuine unemployed, both on the march and in the demonstration gave little cause for complaint, though th© hammer and the sickle on the banners suggests the power behind their well-organised display. These hapless unemployed were -set in motion Iby a hand skilful in making trouble.’’ The “Daily Telegraph’’ gays: “Neither this, nor any other demonstration will affect the truth that the provision for the unemployed In this country is far more geithrous than in any other.” In the House of' Commons, Mr G e «. ILansbury (Leader “ of the -Opposition) asked that rfime might be saved on ' the remaining stages of the-' Ottawa Agreements ftill, so that; the unemployment might be discussed; -and* the Prime 'Minister undertook that, if possible, this should be done. Olther Labour members requested

leave to move the adjournment of the House to discuss this -subject in view of the arrival of the unemployed demonstrators in London. The Speaker' .said that he wag unable to accept the motion, -•as- the Government had promised •to brihg in a Bill ' dealing with the “means” test, which dealt, with - the / unemployment problem. He advised the Labour members that the correct course was • the presentation of a petition to the House of Commons asking permission for a deputation of th© matchers to *ppea‘f ll it' the --Baiof 'th&ftouse to present their case, - w-v . .This advice is being followed-, ~attd a petition •will be presented- eavly- ■' nextweek.

12 ARRESTED ; 77 INJURED. (Received this day at 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, October 28. In " the House of Commons, Mr Gilmour said that twelve arrests had been made, and that nineteen police and fifty-eight demonstrators were injured in yesterday’s disturbances, in which iron bolts were-thrown at the police, who found in -a motor lorry, one hunuied and fifty ash' staves, some studded with nails. _ LABOUR OFFER ACCEPTED. LONDON, October 28. Mr Lansbury told 'Mr MacDonald that Labour was willing to* abandon the discussion on Ottawa provided' the Government agneed immediately to discuss unemployment without the whips. . Mr MacDonald accepted the suggestion provided the Samuelites also agreed.