The Manawatu Herald. Saturday, August 1, 1914. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1279, 1 August 1914, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Saturday, August 1, 1914. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

A CORRESPONDENT in our last issue directed attention to the neglected state of Victoria Park and deplored the fact that athletic bodies were beholden to a private individual for the use of grounds for hockey. It is true that hockey players are under an obligation to a private citizen and the Racing Club for playing space, while the park, the people’s pleasure ground, centrally situated and well sheltered, is neglected. There is sufficient space in the park for cricket, football and hockey, but the area for this purpose requires levelling and putting in order. No doubt the Council would take action in the matter if the clubs united and submitted a scheme of improvement and consented to cooperate with the local governing body. That the park has been neglected cannot be denied and there is scope for a beautifying scheme—just the thing for which Arbor Day was inaugurated. But until the people urge this work upon the Council and show a willingness to co-operate, nothing will be done. We believe if a scheme were submitted the public would back up the Council in the effort to make the park an ideal playing ground and a restful beautv spot.

Syndicalist troubles have been very prevalent in New York recently. There was fighting for three hours one afternoon in the neighbourhood of Union Square, between 2000 followers of the Independent Workers of the World and 400 New York policemen, who prevented the Syndicalists from marching up Fifth Avenue, as they had intended, and breaking the windows of the clubs and hotels, to emphasise their newlypromulgated “right to take what they want if society will not support them.” Nine leaders of the new anarchy were arrested, and scores of heads were broken by the police, who, mounted and on foot, used their batons freely. Many women were among the rioters, but they were treated considerately by the constables. Tire immediate purpose of the gathering of Syndicalists was to test the imprisonment of Tannenbaum, who is serving a sentence for leading the Independent Workers of the World in their recent assault

on the churches. The effort by the police lo prevent the demonstrators from marching through the streets led to a series of clashes, which continued throughout the afternoon. The women in the crowd urged the men on, shouting insults at the police, and calling them capitalist defenders. The “Marseillaise” was sung and flags inscribed with the one word “Hunger” were waved. Red cards declaring “ Tannenbaum must be released !” were distributed and stuck in hat bands by the rioters. It was not believed that the conflict was final, and other and possibly more serious clashes were expected between the police and the immigrant horde, who comprise most of the Independent Workers of the World.

The European war shadow has, for the time being, almost eclipsed the Home Rule crisis. It is believed that an agreement is close at hand, as Commoners are deeply impressed with the seriousness of the European crisis. Earl Plymouth, at Glamorganshire, said, strongly as he condemned the Government, the European situation prevented the Opposition any longer demanding a general election. The Empire itself might be endangered it they did not hold together and support the Minister directing Foreign Affairs. The Times says a general election cannot be entertained, and for the time being Parliament must devise an Irish settlement, if only temporary. Several other newspapers endorse the impossibility of a general election and the necessity of supporting Sir Edward Grey. Destroyer flotillas preventing gunruuniug in Ireland have been withdrawn owing to the crisis. A meeting of Nationalist members of the Commons agreed not to oppose the second reading of the Amending Bill, provided there would be drastic changes in Committee.