RIOTS AT OTTAWA

Hokitika Guardian, 4 August 1932, Page 5

RIOTS AT OTTAWA

BY UNEMPLOYED SUPPRESSION BY POLICE

(United Press Association—By Electric Teieg.aph—Copyright.) OTTAWA, August 2. Half an hour’s rioting followed an attempt that was made by live huiiured of the Delegates to the Workers* Economic Conference • to hold a mass /•'. demonstration, in Ottawa during the ' afternoon,:, ' The mob in the riot consisted mostly of worklesV people, who have converged on the Capital from all parts oi Canada, i.i.l even l'torn'tois far as the Tacific Coast; they “riding (he rods” of. the freight trains. Included in the crowd was a parly of ex-soldiers, who had tramped from Montreal for the express purpose of demonstrating while the Imperial Economic Conference is sitting. The police charged one gathering in Market Square. The' police using the:r batons and * their fists freely succeeded in breaking up the crowd. They /arrested thirteen persons, 'including two vromeri. /” ' ' ■ Before the ! riot began, the work'.ess army, some hundreds strong marched past the Ohateati Laurier (where the Conference •'■■ delegates stay) singing “The Red'“Flag.’’ Many of them were wearing red caps and red arm bands, including ' a sprinkling of women.

The Unemployed Workers’ delegate, surrounded by a crowd of one thousand, entered the Market Square giving cheers for the Soviet, and singing the “Internationale.” Suddenly the police ‘arrived at all pomte and promptly charged. One of th 6 women whom the ‘police arrested was a member of the deputation which previously met Mr Bennett. She engaged in a fistic struggle with the police, who finally overpowered her. ' •The police commandleered motorcars and took the rioters to the police station.

DEPUTATION TO MINISTER

MEASURES- TO RELIEVE DISTRESS

* OTTAWA, August 2

Mr Bennett received; a delegation of the unemployed. Six men and one women, Mrs Wilkinson, from .New York, were admitted to Mr . Bennett’s' office, adjacent to Parliament Buildings. Two other Minister;, • Messrs Guthrie and Gordon, were, present. There were one dozen detectives also present. There 'wjeip tno violent speeches,' and the meeting was' friendly.

Mr Bennett” promised to consider possible measures tp relieve distress. He firmly refused to /liberate imprisoned agitators and deefmed to discuss Communistic planks of th'eir “demands. He declared that Canada;- would not. remov e the embargo a^ain^tr -Russian goods. He pointed out ” tbWf Russia’s undercutting prices had "'tuined Canada’s lumber market, and prejudiced the wheat market. He mentioned as an instance that the Quebec asbestos mine had*been dosed because Russia quoted SO per cent,- Below Quebec's cost price." He warned the delegation, which claimed to’represent more than 200,000 workers; that the Dominion’s laws would be'enforced. The imprisoned .Labomf agitators had ; been convicted on ’their own', admissions. It had been .proved that they had been receiving money from Moscow. They must serve the sentences and would be punished again, if similar offences Were committed. It was impossible to sanction a dole of ten dollars, and the Government would not introduce a non-contributory unemployment insurance bill.

- “We are doing everything that this country can stand to assist the needy, which is primarily the duty of the Provinces, anl to maintain our national life,’’ saw Mr Bennett. ■He added that he considered the programme of the deputation would not achieve the, desired aims. When Mrs Wilkinson said: “My children ar 6 starving. You are forcing our girls into the streets,” • Mt •Bennett patted her- ‘ hand paternally, and said. “Don’t get bitter. I’ll write personally ,to the relief superintendent at North York, telling him of your family’s circumstances.” Mr Bennett afterwards escorted Mrs Wilkinson down the stairs, and stood talking to her earnestly at the doorway for several minutes. The other delegates dispersed quietly.

PREMIER REFUSES PERMISSION. TO ADDRESS CONFERENCE. OTTAWA, August 3. Mr Bennett told the seven delegates that he, emphatically declined to give them permission to address the Imperial Conference, warning them that the law would be. rigidly enforced against Communism. He refused to lift the Russian embargo. He refused the repeal of the Unlawful Atsembhfs Act. He told the .deputation- that bitterness would not help. Canada was n British community, and would not have Communism forced upon it, nor take orders Lorn Moscow.