FIRST OF MAY

Hokitika Guardian, 2 May 1932, Page 5

FIRST OF MAY

MELBOURNE RIOT

ACTING-PREMIER ASSAULTED

(Avziralian Press Association.) * (Received this day at 9.25 a m) MELBOURNE, May 2. The 9'rades Hall leaders and the aclhg-Premier, Mr Tunneciiffe, were assaulted in a riot at the May Day (.cl.•oration oil the. Yaren bank. Mr 9'unneci'itic and the President of the Trades Halt'. Council, Air Riley, were pushed oil' a lorry, and while on the ground, savagely assaulted by a number of men. A record crowd witnessed the marches through tlie city. The Communist party organised a demonstration in opposition to that of the Trades Hall, and tlie two rival processions marched the streets. -

SYDNEY 'FACTIONS DIVIDED

TWO MEETINGS HELD

SYDNEY, May 2

May Day gathering at Sydney was featureless, except for the fact- that Labour's forces were divided into oppos ng camps, those who wore red ties, badges and berets, and those who did not, The t'oraur, held a procession, and carried flaming rod banners. They harangued the crowd on the virtues of (Sovietism', in one part of the Domain, while the latter conducted an orthodox meeting in another part. The onlookers, about ' ten thousand all told, filled in time sauntering between the two gatherings eager fur "fireworks” v, hich failed to materialise. The police 'task was never easier..

CELEBRATIONS AT TOKIO

TOKIO, May 1

May Day at Tokio passed without incident. Twelve thousand marched in a procession escorted by five thousand ponce.

UNITED FRONT OF LABOUR.

CHRISTCHURCH DEMONSTRATION (By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, May 1. A mass demonstration, organised by tlie group syleil the United Front of Labour, was held in Christchurch today. There was a procession through the street and a meeting in Cranmer Square.

The meeting was addressed by Labour speakers, Air 1). G. Sullivan, M.P. Mr J. K. Archer, the Deputy-Mayor, and Air E. J. Howard, M.P." There were .also. Communist speakers. “The Reel Flag” and “The International” were sung, although the crowd did rather badly with “The international.”

The proceedings were quite orderly. The police had taken elaborate precautions to prevent any disorder. No display of force was made by the police.

In the King Edward Barracks, a quarter of a liiile from Cranmer Square there were packed 300 special constables, with motor-cars, for speedy mooilisnton at any front where trouble threatened.

Some shopkeepers, notably hotels with bottle stores, were asked not to display their wares in their windows. The demonstrators, however, were probably unaware of these preenut oils.. They saw nothing of the special constables.

WELLINGTON DEMONSTRATION HELD IN WET WEATHER. • WELLINGTON, May 1. No happening of any liiouwant marked to-day’s May Day celebrations at Wellington. The Unemployed Workers’ Movement and the Communists arranged a demonstration in the Baa in Reserve. With rain falling, however, and a strong southerly blowing, the conditions were unpleasant. About 400 persons mustered on the grand stn.nd. A strong posse of police was present. The speakers hammgued the crowd for about two hour.*, denouncing capitalism and denouncing the present; Government in particular. The inclemency of the weather dampened whatever enthusiasm the. fervour of speakers may have roused. The crowd dispersed quietly. Here and! there a red flag was held above fn! small group, these being the only visible evidence of the occasion.

CANADIAN COMMUNISTS. MAY DAY DEMONSTRATIONS. MONTREAL. April 29. Continuing countrywide precautions against the Communists less there- bo May Day outbreaks, police nudes were made on Reds’ headquarters at Vancouver anti Winnipeg. They were extended here to-day. All records were seized, but no arrests were. made.