RIFLES ISSUED.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 231, 29 September 1928, Page 9

RIFLES ISSUED.

WATERFRONT WAR.

Essential Services Called Out

At Adelaide.

MOB RULE ▼. LAWFULNESS.

ADELAIDE, September 28,

As a consequence of the disturbances on the wharves, the Premier, Mr. 11. L. Butler, yesterday issued a proclamation, stating that a state of national crisis exists.

Immediately after the issue of the Premier's proclamation uOO men of the Essential Services Maintenance Association, which has been formed with the object of opposing lawlessness, were sworn in as special constables, and issued with rifles.

They were then sent to the military parade grounds and drilled under former military officers. Detachments of the men were later sent to Port Adelaide.

The whole waterfront is now quiet, but no work is being carred out on any vessel. A number of volunteer workers were again enrolled, but it is not expected that work will be resumed before Monday.

The Premier's proclamation states that arrangements have been made for work on the waterfront to be- resumed on Monday. Meanwhile the police force of South Australia has been augmented to provide the necessary protection to ensure the safety of all persons loading and unloading ships, or otherwise engaged in the transport service.

All the members of the Essential Services Maintenance Association have been requested to report immediately. The Commonwealth Government's scheme for the registration of all workers will be inaugurated on Monday, and the State Government will call upon all persons willing to assist in a time_ of national crisis to offer their services immediately.

The issue is mob rule or constitutional government. The Government with all the force at its command w ill see that the rigltts of the citizens are upheld. There is no excuse tor the action of the strikers, who have openly defied the law, and so forfeited all sympathy.

Strikers Attack on Wharf. #

There were further disturbances yesterday, when 2000 of the waterside workers came into conflict with the police as they attempted again to march to the wharves. The police, who were in strong force, drew their batons and after a struggle, in which many strikers were injured, prevented the men>from crossing Robinson's Bridge en route to the wharves.

The strikers returned to the attack, and by force of numbers thrust the police aside and swarmed across the bridge. The police were strongly reinforced and finally dispersed the rioters.

Many volunteer workers were sworn in to-day as special constables.

A statement issued by the Shipowners' Association says the mob law on the Adelaide waterfront is merely an exaggeration of the conditions' under which the shipowners have been carrying on their industry for years past. The same bruto force tactics, applied at domestic! rules, have wrested ruinous concessions under bitter protest from the owners, who were reluctant to tie up Australian and oversea shipping.

The rioters misjudged the spirit jf the volunteers and owners if they believed that violence would achieve any purpose but the strengthening of the determination to sec this thing through.