Party News Briefs
A Donation to Funds of £24 15s. 1d. has been received from Canada. The letter which accompanied the donation tells us that it is from “an old Comrade who wishes to remain anonymous . . . has but a few more years on this earth, and hopes to the last, to do all in his power to clear the confusion which exists all over the world today.” The secretary of the Victoria B.C. local of the Socialist Party of Canada, who has forwarded the donation, tells us that he, himself, after following “McDonald and Hyndman in Batterse” in the hectic days of John Burns on Lavender Hill” gained his first understanding of “real” Socialism from the S.P.G.B. meetings at Tooting Broadway around 1908-9-10. He sends his best wishes to all comrades in this country.
West Ham Branch is making steady, reliable progress. Branch membership is now about 75. Meetings are still being held at The Cock Hotel, East Ham, and at Station Road, Ilford, and will continue to be held throughout the winter if possible. There are sufficient members of this branch residing in the parliamentary constituencies of East Ham North, East Ham South and Ilford North, to make it possible for the Party to contest these constituencies if and when other circumstances allow.
Dartford Branch has changed its address and the members are enthusiastic with the changed surroundings. They now operate at the Dartford Labour Club in Lowfleld Street, in the Town centre. Branch meetings and discussion nights are held on alternate Fridays at 7 p.m. The branch invites workers in the North Kent area to look them up. Comrade S. Cash will he speaking at the Club on January 27th (7.30) on the subject, “Some objections to Socialism Answered.”
Paddington Branch’s election campaign inaugural meeting, held at the Metropolitan Theatre on Sunday, December 5th, attracted an audience of between 700 and 800. The collection taken amounted to £38.
From Boston (U.S.A.) we receive good news. One of the prospective new locals mentioned in our columns in the December issue, is now formed. There is now a San Francisco local of the W.S.P. of U.S. Now, advancing into the picture, comes Youiigstown in Ohio, where “conditions arc ripe for the organisation of a local or a study group.”
Glasgow Branch.—Before an audience of 200 a debate between the R.C.P. (D. Garbuft) and the party (T. Mullhcron) on the subject “Is Parliament the road to power” was held on Sunday, 28th November.
Garbutt in his contributions failed to give decisive examples of political power being overthrown by industrial or military power. The examples he gave of Spain, Cromwell, Curragh mutiny and the rise of Hitler presented no difficulty to Mulheron.
Spain, clue to obvious international complications was ruled out, the Cromwell occurrence had no bearing on a highly industrialised state; the proof of the voting results in Germany showed clearly that Hitler had to wait for political power before putting his decrees into force. In the Curragh mutiny the resignation of the officers was the equivalent of workers turning in their jobs.
The audience were very interested and enthusiastic to hear more.
A number of London speakers are expected to visit Glasgow between now and May in monthly rotation to address workers there, and although the Central Halls (Glasgow’s regular Sunday night indoor stance), will ite the probable venue for these meetings, “Forward” should be consulted for the advertised announcements. A debate will take place with the I.W.W. on Sunday, January 30th, Central Halls, 7 p.m.
Ealing Branch, with a membership of over 70, is extending its activities in all directions. In recent months, by employing such methods as door-to-door canvass, deliveries to newsagents and sales at opponents’ meetings and railway stations, we have increased our sales of SOCIALIST STANDARD to an average of 220 copies per month. With such a large district to cover, however, the Branch is not satisfied and has every intention of doing better still in the future.
Apart from the debate with the R.C.P. in January, 1949 (see announcement), other tentative arrangements include debates with Fred Mullally (February), Arthur Blenkinsop, P.P.S. Ministry of Pensions (March), David Eccles, Conservative M.P. (April), and The Society of Individualists (May). Monthly meetings up to March are also being fixed on the subjects: “Is Russia Capitalist?”, “Socialism and Beligion” and “Socialists and War.”
Branch discussion groups which were commenced at the beginning of winter are proceeding fairly well in spite of innumerable difficulties in obtaining suitable premises and fixing a convenient night to meet. This function is valuable in that it helps to prepare member:? for the outdoor platform.
These heavy and sustained efforts are making considerable calls on members’ time but the branch is responding well with branch business meetings of 30 and over members.
Visitors and enquirers are frequent which promises well for the Party’s future in the Ealing area.
The Publicity Committee reports that several more public libraries in London and the provinces have ordered copies of “Collected Socialist Pamphlets.” This effort is already bringing results. One correspondent writes :
“I have recently read a bound collection of S.P.G.B. pamphlets (from Stourbridge Public Library) and being deeply interested and impressed by them I would be greatly pleased to receive details of the S.P.G.B. and its publications.” Most libraries will readily respond to a polite request that this book should be included in the local library.
“Forward” has published a letter from the Glasgow Branch regarding the B.B.C. boycott of the Party. The B.B.C. is expected to remain silent.
W. WATERS