Party News Briefs (1956)

Party News from the July 1956 issue of the Socialist Standard

“Socialist Standard” Sales. Much has been said over the years regarding increasing the Standard sales, a certain means of putting over the case for Socialism. Ten thousand copies per month has been a target to aim for. but so far, a target not achieved. However, a special effort was made this May and 6,500 copies were ordered from the printer, and it is gratifying, particularly to the members who worked so hard, to know that they were all sold. Perhaps our target of 10,000 copies per month is not too ambitious, and if the result of the May sales drive is anything to go by bodes well. Comrades will be stimulated to add to this success by increasing the sales in the future.

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Ealing Branch. The Branch’s special May Sales Drive was extremely successful. Over One Thousand Socialist Standards (1,006 to be exact) were sold during the month, and 13 canvasses were held in all. New areas such as Northolt Park. Stonebridge Park, and St. Margaret’s, Twickenham, were canvassed, as well as parts of other areas already known to members. The Branch undertook to take and pay for sixty dozen Standards, i.e., there was to be no question of reclaiming from Head Office for unsold copies, but at the same time the Branch Literature Committee set itself the further and higher target of 1,000 copies. In spite of the strain which showed itself towards the end of the campaign, the excellent results thus far obtained encouraged members to carry on and reach the target. Such campaigns can obviously be made only on special occasions, but they do show what can be done when a real effort is made, and the scope that lies in canvassing for increasing the sales of the Standard.

The Branch’s summer outing this year to Littlehampton took place on 10th June, and as usual proved very enjoyable, though a heavy shower of rain immediately after arrival, seemed to bode ill for the rest of the day. Fortunately, it was the only shower, and the weather afterwards. though not conducive to sunbathing, certainly acted as a stimulant to members’ latent cricketing abilities.

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Members may be interested to learn that Comrade Evans of the W.S.P. is visiting London on July 25th for a stay. Comrade Evans is an energetic and active member in Los Angeles.

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Rugby. Encouraging news is to hand from Comrade Walsh who reports good literature sales. Members have attended public meetings in Coventry and Rugby and have sold a considerable number of May Standards—several of these were sold at a meeting addressed by Father Huddleston, who bought a copy for himself.

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Swansea. During the past twelve months, members of the branch have had 27 letters published in the “Swansea Voice,’’ a local weekly paper. Numerous letters have also been published in other local newspapers, namely The South Wales Evening Post, Western Mail and Llanelly Star all stating the Party’s attitude to questions of the day and topical events. The branch has received invaluable publicity as a result of these activities, and the Party’s name is becoming well-known in the area. It is suggested that other branches, particularly those with restricted propaganda activities due to small membership, should take advantage of this useful means of publicising the Party.

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Southend Branch has been well maintained, meetings commencing promptly with good attendances. Some new faces have done much to inspire the regular members and regular Sunday meetings have been successfully held over recent months. Canvassing for the Standard has been undertaken with success. The Branch looks forward to expanding activities in general and in addition carrying out a programme of outdoor meetings on the Sea Front. Members from other areas have in the past rendered assistance at these meetings at week-ends. Offers of assistance in advance would be most welcome. Write or telephone H. G. Cottis, 109 Kingswood Chase, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex. Tel. Leigh-on-Sea 75404.

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Bloomsbury Branch. Meetings will be held during July, but as usual will be discontinued during August as Conway Hall closes during that month. Branch members look forward to welcoming sympathisers and other members to the first meeting in September (Thursday 6th).

Phyllis Howard