TERRIBLE RIOT

Hokitika Guardian, 10 January 1931, Page 5

TERRIBLE RIOT

IN ADELAIDE CITY UNEMPLOYED V. POLICE. HALF HOUR'S BATTLE. (Australian Press Association.) ADELAIDE, Jan. 9. An army of the unemployed clashed with mounted troopers and foot police in Victoria Square, Adelaide, today, and one oi tho worst riots in tlie history oi South Australia followed. Iron /bars, sticks and pieces of board with nails protruding were used against the. police, wiio were compelled to defend themselves with their batons.

There were many casualties on both sides. Three /policemen received severe head injuries, and one a fractured jaw. A police sergeant sustained a lacerated skull. A woman sustained both concussion and broken ribs, while four of the unemployed were taken to the hospital with cuts on the head and face. Twelve arrests were made. It is estimated that one thousand men took part in the disturbance, the motive of which was to protest against the withdrawal of beef from the ration iist. The men marched through the city to Parliament House. They sang revoultionury songs, and counted out the politicians, and they finally halted outside the Treasury,

The police who had anticipated these tactics, barred the way to that building, and, in tho rioting which followed, men fell to the ground with blood streaming from their wounds. The men’s hats, coats and (banners were kicked about.

The troopers’ horses reared up among the struggling humanity, while shouts and curses wore hoard on all sides. This went on for half an hour. The police triumohed, but minor disturbances occurred elsewhere in the city, which were easily quelled. One constable’s helmet bore evidence of a viisious clout from a heavy weapon. Others emerged ferom the fray with damaged uniforms. The Premier, M.r Hill, who witnessed the riot from his window, said that there was not the slightest doubt that the disorders were organised by people who wished to destroy constitutional government.

ANOTHER CLASH,

ADELAIDE, January 10

Another scene occurred last night when the police attempted to arrest a speaker at a meeting. The crowd interfered and a clash between police and unemployed followed. Two policemen and a woman were injured and three arrests have been made.