Branch News
The programme of lectures and films arranged by Ealing continues. After Flaherty’s film last month they have a lecture by Comrade Edge on 11th May and a double film bill on 18th May (see notices elsewhere in this issue). They hope to start the outdoor season at Earls Court as soon as possible this year and arrangements are in hand to hold the first meeting on Thursday 17th May. All members are asked to give the meetings their keenest support. They had some very successful evenings last year and literature sales were at times outstandingly good. There is obviously still plenty of scope for useful propaganda al some outdoor stations given good weather and enthusiastic support by members.
This May issue of the SOCIALIST STANDARD speaks for itself as regards Party activity–May Day meetings and Rallies, Municipal Election on Glasgow and other propaganda activities all of which are advertised on page 79. In addition the summer outdoor propaganda drive is commencing and boldly, the Socialist Party of Great Britain goes forward with its propagation of the Socialist case with enthusiasm and optimism. So readers, if you haven’t yet joined in—do so now and at the very least, double or triple your order for copies of the STANDARD and pass them on.
The so-called “Socialist Society” University College Swansea has invited us to send a speaker during May to state the Socialist Party case to the students. Indeed at long last we seem to be breaking through to the student population in Wales. No one can say what this may lead to, but of course we are optimistic. The local Liberal Association is waiting to nominate the candidate for Swansea West before finalising the arrangements to debate the SPGB. This will infuriate the local Labour. Conservative, and (so-called) Communist parties who have tried to ignore us wherever possible.
The branch is holding interesting discussions and lectures at the usual meeting place and now have a regular number of interested and interesting people attending the meetings. Here again the Branch members are optimistic, and feel that some at least will join the ranks of the Party. Especially the use of taped recorded lectures will be useful. Already the tape of the talk to the students of St. David’s College, Lampetcr has proved especially useful.
Please study the list of activities advertised particularly in your locality and give all Party meetings the fullest support possible. Let activity bring success to the Socialist case
Towards the end of last year one of our friends returned to his home in Jamaica, and he has wasted no time getting busy propagating Socialist ideas. Shortly after his arrival he was invited to take part in a public meeting on the subject of Independence (for Jamaica), when he explained that, as far as the working class is concerned, independence would merely mean a change of rulers and exploiters and would not change their lives in any other way. He is pleased to tell us that his audience was “surprisingly attentive'”; and this is a very good start indeed in a place where our ease has not been heard before. He is now looking for a suitable place to start a discussion group, when he hopes also to be able to sell the Socialist Standard. This is especially important as, due to the prohibition by the Jamaican Government of the sale of many “left wing” and “Communist” publications, we have met with no success in our endeavours to get newsagents in Jamaica to take the Socialist Standard.
P.H.