INSULT TO FLAG AVENGED.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2279, 21 May 1921, Page 4

INSULT TO FLAG AVENGED.

REMARKABLE DEMON- . . STRATION. Sydney, May 10. SVdne,y to-day is very well pleased with its demonstration* of loyalty to the Union Jack. It has avenged the insult of the May Day incident in the Domain. The Sydney Domain on Sundays is the rallying ground of all the cranks in the country, and particularly is it favoured by those who would use violence in shattering the scheme of things to bits and remoulding it nearer to their hearts’ desire. On Sunday, May Ist, the ‘‘Reds” were a little noisier and more numerous than usual. They had a sort of small May Day procession, and a number of" ardent loyalists waved Union -Jacks at them as they passed . A couple of very determined old Indies marched about twenty yards in front of the procession, waving a tattered Australian (lag. So when the Reds got to the Domain they were in a somewhat excited condition. They formed up around a platform, a small but compact company, and proceeded to cheer the usual stuff about the unfairness of the present social system. ’ About a dozen returned soldiers appeared with a Union Jack and charged into the Reds. The Reds promptly faced outwards, and there were thirty seconds of lively give-and-take. The diggers were overwhelmed. They lost their flag, which was torn into shreds. A few moments afterwards a small section of the Hag still on the pole was set , alight and hoisted into the air. Someone immediately ' pulled it down. The red Hag was hoisted on the platform, and the Reds cheered. That was the notorious “flagburning incident.” There is not the slightest doubt that the firing of the shred of flag was the act of some misguided youth among the Reds. The official Reds, on the platform, discountenanced the act. r l he incident naturally aroused great indignation. There had been several insults to loyalists recently, and this was felt to cap flic lot. Within a day or two preparations for a counter-demonstration were under way. A small team of returned soldiers published pointed newspaper advertisements. The rally in response was something amazing. The first demonstration was on Friday night, in the Town Hall, which was hired by a patriotic citizen and given to the soldiers. The great place was filled to overflowing two hours before the meeting. When the meeting started thousand'. were clamouring and cheering in the streets round about. \ unions speakers said what they thought of the Red.' and disloyalists, and the packed masses cheered every word they said.

A further demonstration, lo reply to the Red flag incident in the Domain, was held in the Domain on the following Sunday. If the Town Hall meeting was remarkable, the Sunday demonstration was unique. Il appears that the people were just asking for an opportunity to demonstrate their loyalty. It was probably the biggest gathering ever held in Sydney. The Domain ought lo accommodate at least 150,000 people. After it w,a> quite lull, lens of thousands were unable to get in. Various speakers, on various platforms, gave the Reds a verbal thrashing, and everyone cheery! and waved Union Jacks. Tt Js ii tribute to the incredible stupidity of the Reds that they got 1 heir little platforms planted in the midst of this tremendous, loyal crowd, and tried to hold their usual I Sunday meeting. Of course, they were simply asking for it —and they got it. Masses of eager returned soldiers crowded round them, and one after the other, .these various platforms were upended, and the unhappy Reds were spilled ignominiously into the arms of the waiting crowds. None of them suffered actual physical violence except the notorious Judd. Judd is the reddest of ihe Redraggers —a. fanatic who has been lined and gaoled times without number, but lie goes back to the Domain t every- time, and lets Ids foolish longue loose. He stood on his platform on Sunday, and barked at the multitude, and the multitude quite naturally proceeded to tip him off his platform. Then he very foolishly ‘ lost his temper. He drew and brandished a revolver. That put the coping stone on it. Police rushed j to the rescue, but before they got ; to him the wretched Judd had been severely mauled —punched and kicked. The crowd fought the police for possession of him. Then the police chief ran his motor right in among them, ordered his-men to throw Judd into the car, and got him away.