BIG PROCESSION

Hokitika Guardian, 14 April 1932, Page 5

BIG PROCESSION

BY UNEMPLOYED

DOMONSTRATION AT AUCKLAND. (By Telegraph —Per Brens Association) AUCKLAND, April 13. By far the largest demonstration of tho unemployed, since the beginning of the present depression, took place in Auckland to-dav when a large number of men marched through the city to the Town Hall. They did so as a protest against- the present conditions of relief work, and particularly against tho country camps. The men presented a set of demands to the -Mayor. The Mayor briefly addressed the crowd of demonstrators and others. The crowd numbered several thousands. The Mayor undertook to forward tho men’s demands to the Minister-in-charge of Unemployment, Mr Coates. The demonstrators then continued their march through the streets in procession. It was fully a quarto: of a mile lofig, In Short! a rid Street a clash with the police occrured. Some of those near the head of the jJroefesSioii considered that the driver of a' motor lorry Was trying to break through the line of ilia inarell. A handful of constables then drew their batons. There was a lively melee for a few' seconds, until a number of the mens’ lenders mount. ted a lorry, and by loudly exhorting their followers, prevailed upon them to resume the march. So far as could be ascertained there were no injuries ; except, doubtless some bruises. A second meeting was held outside the Town Hall. After being informed that their demands had been telegraphed to Wellington, and that a reply was being awaited, the men obeyed their leaders’ orders to disperse until to-morrow morning, when they were directed to demonstrate in their own districts

RELIEF WORKS NORMAL

DESPITE STRIKE PROPOSAL

AUCKLAND, April 13

It spite of a proposal that all relief works should cease this morning as a protest against the relief camps scheme, work proceeded normally on many relief undertakings in Auckland suburbs, in -some cases full complements of men! turning to, while in other cases every man laid down his tools. A division of opinion occurred in some of the gangs, with the result that while a number ceased work, the rear of the gang carried on. Some of the gangs were depleted only because men who were absent had completed their qtiota of Work for the week.

Pickets called at various jobs < to determine the rLtitude of the men. In some eases they were not favourably received. No disorder occurred. The men who decided to work did so without hinderance, police protection being ■ provided for workers, but their services were not rendered necessary. In some cases, men took a secret ballot among themselves, irrespective of the instructions of the Executive and as a result decided to carry on with the work.

DUNEDIN CROWD DISPERSED

BY DETACHMENT OF POLICE

DUNEDIN, April 13

The only demonstration of unemployed to-day was dispersed quietly and effectively this afternoon, when a detachment of 30 police marched straight into the crowd. In a few minutes the meeting was broken up and the crowd disappeared.

The arrest of the six leaders took place at 5.30 o'clock this morning. They appeared in Court before Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M., and were remanded in custody for a week. The relief works strike was a failure.

The disturbances appear to be at an end-

REPLY TO MR COATES. AUCKLAND, April 13

Following the unemployed demonstration a telegram was received bv the Mayor from Mr Coates to the effect that- the ■Government and the Unemployment Hoard were finalising revised arrangements for relief, and that while reasonable suggestions would be considered, the present claims were extravagant, and could not be entertain-