UNEMPLOYED RIOT

Hokitika Guardian, 20 September 1932, Page 1

UNEMPLOYED RIOT

MANY INJURED IN ENGLAND. OPPOSITION TO “MEANS TEST” t. United Press 1 Association —By Electric 'ieiegrapn —-Lupyr gut,; LONDON, Septembei’ 18. Ten police ’ uhd seventeen civilians were injured,' while nine rioters were arresteu, during week-end riots, tout took place in the narrow streets of Birkenhead. - the v.'otiiig culminated in the Ciiiet Constab.e issuing an ultimatum fui bidding tile holding of processions and demonstrations.

Tile rioters used bricks, stones, iron and bottles, while woihfen hung ii dim from nppfer windows. Fourteen siiops were looted. Hundreds of the police were rushed by ferries to Birkenhead from Liverpool, and these -po.ice now pati’dl the town.

\ There are large crowds of unemployed- ii*’ • Birkenhfeiid who are in an ug.y mood. The rioting began at nine O’c.ocu orii Saturday evening/ it ivks continued ’ without. any abktfeinent eight hours until five o’clock on Sunday morning. 1 • • '

The trouble arose owing to the unemployed feeiing resentment at the •‘means test,” designed to add to their difficulties in the drawing of the dole.

The Mayor of Birkenhead has made appeals to law-abiding citizens'to disassociate themselves from’the rioters and prevent the necessity of more ektienid measures being taken; - •*