BATON CHARGE

Hokitika Guardian, 16 May 1932, Page 5

BATON CHARGE

IN CUBA STREET

MINISTERIAL DEFENCE OF IT.

/By Telegraph —Per Press Association)

WELLINGTON, May 15

In a statement relating to the Cuba Street affray. Hon. J. Gv Copbe reviews at length ' the eveiits preceding the clash between tile police' and the mob. He goes on to say: “Realising the clanger of allowing the crowd to remain on the vacant .section longer than could he avoided, the police informed Mr Bracefield' that three minutes only would be allowed to 'announce the decision arrived at by the strikers’ delegates. Inspector Lander was informed that all of the delegates had not arrived, and lie was requested to await their arrival. This he agreed to do. 1

“As Mr Bracefield was unable to address the crowd himself, a man named Kelly, a well-known malcontent, mounted the chair. He was warned lie had t° confine his remarks solely to the decision arrived at by. the delegates, and to be as brief as possible. Instead of doing as requested, he launched out. on a lengthy explanation of what various delegates bad doiie.' aiid on'referring to tbe proposal to hold a one day’s strike, lie was ordered to de|ist;rj)W|:;j|ff’;; refused. Hoots and cries crowd greeted Inspector Lander ns lio went forward to compel Kelly ,to stop speaking.” • ; n “Then followed a volley of bricks, stones, pieces of concrete.. hpttles hnd pieces o’'iron hurled ct thKarnn'M fope'e of twenty police in Tnsrertor Lander’s immediate vicinity. Fared with- the alternative of seeine his small forcb beaten down, Inspector Lander ordered his men to disperse the menacing mob. Six mounted men on the reserve were further up the section.’' 'They came to the foot constables’ assistance and ju a tew minutes the riotous mob > had holted. Behind a fence the police found a large supply o” empty bottles, from which theyhad. been bpmbarded. Tn all, ten persons received temporary treatment at tbe Hospital. “A number of police were struck by missiles, but were not so injured that they could not continue on, duty. It is perfectly clear, not only from official reports submitted-to me by the Commissioner of Police, but from signed statements from neutral citizens of integrity and .standing,', .that the police exercised very • commendable'' restraint and tact, and made no move in force until driven in self-defence to charge the mob, whose overwhe’ming numbers, noen hostility and aggressive violencei, left no other course open.,

“tn view of the exhibitions of mob violence in other centres, the disgraceful happenings of Tuesday night in this city, aiid information- received by tho authorities of menacing intentions : pf-\ at least a section of the crowd to renew nets of violence as night fell, the action of the, polico in breakinc up this hostile crowd in Cuba Street before its evil design could ; be carried out was entirely justified. Indeed, they would have failed in their duty had they net done so.

“The Government is determined tTiSt evil and subversive elements in the city will meet with no quarter, but that,da!flOs ; lawlessness will be sternly repressed. It would be intolerable if the safety of our citizens and thousands of pounds worth o : valuable property were to bp, wantonly imperilled. Mob violpU.ee cab but 'react on those associated with it. Genuine workers who are unfortun-'' ately numbered amongst those, of our. fellow citizens now unemployed should, in their own best interests, drive outfrom their midst evil elements which are using them as tools, and behind whom they endeavour to advance 'the''; own anti-social, wrecking activities.”