BATONS DRAWN MEAT EXPERIMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 12 May 1932, Page 5

BATONS DRAWN

MEAT EXPERIMENT

ON DEMONSTRATORS

POLICE ROUT BIG CROWD

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association)

WELLINGTON, May 11

There was an attempt by the striking relief workers and the unemployed to hold a mass meeting on a \;acant section in Upper Cuba Street this afternoon. This precipitated a brief, buz ugly, clash with the police. Within a space of two minutes, a threatening crowd of 2000 men was routed and scattered by mounted and foot constables, they giving no quarter, and making a . lightning baton charge.

T..-3 strikers and the unemployed were embroiled m the melee bv nii’i'tant leader?, who defied a ban imposed on all outdoor assemblies, and ignored the .appeals of the Trades Hall offic'als.

Throughout the morning and the early afternoon, an atmosphere of tension existed in the Vivian Street a, ea, particularly in the vicinity of ’.he Trades Hall, where meeting after meeting was held by the strikers delegates.

At 3.30 p.m. an attempt was madeto hold a full meeting of the sir’iters -in the .Trades Hull Dan vj I hill, in a few minutes the hall stairways r.nd the corridors on every floor were jammed with humanity, and then, from those who had no hope of admitt.-ime to the meeting, there came the cry: “To the vacant section in Upper Cuba Street!”

This instruction was repeated by the leaders, and was acted upon excitedly. Hundreds poured out of the building and flocked along Vi van Street, where they were reinforced by hundreds more.

No formation was suggested or attempted, the crowd blocking the entire thoroughfare as it proceeded to Upper Cuba Street. A strong force of police, under Inspector J. Lander, accompanied the would-be demonstrators, and fpeci.e police, with steel hats, were drawn up in double ranks at th e intersection < f Vivian and Cuba Streets, “ut no attempt was made, at that juncture, 1o disperse the crowd, or to interfere with its movements.

When the vacant section was reached, the crowd, which by that time was aboqf. 2000 strong, completed lilled it. There was a mingling of Hie r-

flp-.v Mid of curious Onlookers, who lined the fences on three sides of the area, while hundreds more curiosity seekers blocked the Cuba Street Joovpaths. . Inspector Lander warned the leadoi- 1 ’ that the speeches must be brief. Mr Kelly, who was prominent m \<?sterday’s demonstrations, was the second speaker, and he was referring to tlio Alliance of Labour arranging for a one-day strike, when Inspector L-m----dfer said ; “That’s enough.’ Mr Killy continued, but lie was pulled from the box.

Instantly, a shower of bricks and stones came from a corner of the seetion-

“Get at them!”' shouted Inspector Lander. The police then swept V oj’• ward with their batons d)'a>vn.

The crowd were stampeded in all directions. Many were pushed aguintt the fences. which gave way, and the throng scrambled through the bncu yards, they being pursued :>y ,unstables. who belaboured ad tliose who slopped or turned. There were mounted constables also, who moved ni among the fleeing crowds. ,

/ A LARGE CASUALTY LLVI. MANY SUSTAIN HEAD WOUNDS

WELLINGTON, May 11

As the result of the disturbance this afternoon, a number of persons were treated by the Free Ambulance and the Hospital for minor casualties. One' man received a severe enough injury to warrant his being detained in the hospital, that being a broimu leg, sustained when lie fell off a loner.

T e ascertainable injuries a r e as follows :

Francis Walker, labourer, of the (My Mission—a broken leg in ho-M‘Ul and discharged. D. Donald, labourer, of 97, Tlinicul S t reet — he ad i n j it r i os. \V. Bremnor, labourer, of 12, F.n-l.f.y Terrace —head injuries. J. Culver, labourer, of 27, Braid,hw.Me Street —head injuries. H, Mather, labourer, of 39, Nunn Street —head injuries. The following were treated by the Free Ambulance.— ,J. Turner seaman, of 26, Lorno Street contused wmind to the scalp. If, Cleaeh, lahourer, e/o King's Hotel —abrasions to the logs. H, Dowler, seaman, of 174, S l . uney Street--nils on the band. HUNTS AND TORN CLOTHES. POLICE SCATTER, CROWD. WKILIN’OTO.V. May 11. During the baton charge, the Hood of men flattened and smashed 1 every obstacle, excint an iron bedstead, leaving the rear of a little home trampled and desolate. Nearer the front of the section, tin; melee, for a few moments, took an evoin more desperate turn. Another wooden fern" went down, and' dozens invaded the yard, hut the path followed bv the charging police took them dear of that point, and the pressure

was then relaxed, thus preventing lurtlier damage.

Behind jthe 'next housie. however, there was a rusty fence of corrugated iron, on which men scrambled and kicked as mmer men strove to escape over their bodies.

A number of men were badly scratched and cut about the hands by the jagged' iron, and dozens of suits were torn.

On the other side of the section, the rabble was fleeing from the mounted men, who cantered here and there, assisting the foot police. Stones and bricks flew, but the great majority were far too intent upon escape to think of turning and showing fight. The rout was as complete as it was swift, and the police used no half measures.

The women were swept towards the street, the | mjijpirity. I qf, )^ei; ,won}en, tunately enough, being clear of the main police charge. Screaming children fled with the rest, but, in the chaos, it was impossible for anyone to discriminate, and several children were knocked down by running men. The neighbouring small garden plots were trampled, and many of tile crowd took shelter in houses, where their minor injuries were attended to, A nearby chemist also was l occupied for some time treating cute and bruised scalps.

POLICE STATEMENT,

WHY BATONS WERE USED

WELLINGTON, May 11

The Commissioner of Police, Mr W. G. Wchlmann, made the following statement this evening:—

“My information is that the large gathering outside of the Trades Hall this afternoon could not gain admission, and occupied' a vacant section nearby. Delegates' from the Trades Hall were given permi'ision hv the Inspector of Police to inform this crowd of the result of the meeting inside of the Trades Hall, and to .deliver a statement to them. In defiance to this request, a well-known Communist, named Kelly, mounted a soap box, and commenced to address the meeting. He was warned to desist, but he refused. Steps were then taken to prevent him continuing his speech, with the result that stones and bricks were thrown at the police by members of tlie crowd. The police were forced to disperse, the crowd by drawing their batons and in the melee that ensued, some ten were injured, none of them seriously; and' a number were removed to the hospital for temporary treatment. /

JEWELLERS LOOTED. WELLINGTON, May 11

Inquiries revdal that rather more looting than was realised Inst night occurred. Jewellers’ windows were the worst sufferers, but the amount 'of goods stolen is really small. Some few pairs of boots and some overcoats wore taken from other .‘shops, but so quickly was the petition taken in hand In- the, police that looting on the sente that occurred in Auckland was impossible.