COERCION POLICY

Hokitika Guardian, 18 November 1929, Page 5

COERCION POLICY

AGAINST THE NATIVES.

[United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.]

CAPETOWN, Nov. 16

It transpires that the real purpose of the ciiion Government at Durban, where the police made a raid on the native compounds, is to reassert determinedly the power of the law. Ihe police claim that a rising of the natives was contemplated at Durban and Johannesburg and other centres to-day, on the occasion of Dingan’s Day, November 16th. A few days previously the police arrested one hundred and fifty natives at the Decks Compound. They were attacked by two thousand, and fifty of the prisoners were released. There are signs of surreptitious Communist propaganda spreading rapidly. The police are disappointed at not muling any assegais and axes, which it is known that the natives have been collecting. The Minister of Justice will make a statement in a. few days, to silence the present criticism, which is tending to ridicule the concentration of the police. The Minister will introduce a Riotous Assemblies Bill, giving wider power for restricting the movements of agitators. Labour is opposing this. A previous cable stated: A native Professor blames over-taxation as the cause, and also overcharges for the compound ibeer. It is anticipated that a demonstration against the Native Bills will begin in January.