BLAME FOR RIOTS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 359, 21 October 1932, Page 5

BLAME FOR RIOTS

(Press. Assn.—

COMMUNISTS RESPONSIBLE

-By Telegraph— Cop^Tlght).

Rec. - Oct. 20, 5.5 p.m. London, October 19. On th'e motion for the adjournment of the Ottawa debate, in the House of Coinmons, Mr. George Lansbury, Leader of the Labour Opposition, drew attention to the unemployed disorders in London and the provinces. He said they were very widespread in view of the conditions allowed for the treatment of the unemployed by the late and the present Government. Demonstrators h'ad the right to advertise their conditions, and the p'oliee should provide facilities for doing this peaceably. The Means Test should be revoked. Sir J. Gilmour, on behalf of the Government, said that the demonstrations in London were organised by the unemployed movement, which was mainly a Communist organisation, whose campaign had been in progres since July, when it was . started in Bristol. The police had discharged their duties under great difficulties, facing ruthless brutality. After Sir Stafford Cripps and other Labour members had complained of the Mfeans Test, Mr. Ramsay MacDonald promised a statement of the Government's intentions regarding the Test. Meanwhile he appealed to members not to find excuses for the rioting or to make it easy for those who were not out to help the unemployed but to kiclc up a row. Mr. J. Maxton (Labour, Bridgeton) ; "You have no right to say that." Mr. MacDonald : "Nobody lcnows better than the hon. member that what I say is perfectly true." The House then adjourned.