MORE PROCESSIONS

Hokitika Guardian, 3 November 1932, Page 5

MORE PROCESSIONS

HUNGER MARCHERS

I UGE PETITION FOR COMMONS

(United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright/.

LONDON, Npvember 1. Orderliness characterised' the outset of to-night’s hunger marches. The processions started from Cterkenwell Green, and elsewhere, with the intention of presenting « petition with a million signatures to the Commons. Mounted and foot police controlled the operations.

Tributary processions joined the main stream, while hundreds of sightseers waited outside the Commons, approaches to which were blocked by the police, the mounted men thinning out the crowd as required. Many Members o c the Commons were watching thje siane.An official stenographer noted the speeches from the platforms on CJerkenwell Green..

After the hunger marchers had proceeded some distance, hooligans gave trouble later, the storm centre being Trafalgar Square. ‘Sporadic skirmishes and arrests occurred on the Embankment, • Charing Crofts, and ,at the Cenotaph, where wreaths iweirli tramp-M, Windows were smashed at Whitehall, the Jftrand, and 1 Villiers Street. Bottles and stones were thrown at Trafalgar Square, where the Tube Station was closed. Eventually mounted and foot police wielding batons and staves cleared the square, by a concerted charge, the fugitives leaving dozens of hats and caps behind.

Hooligans damaged and attempted to'set lire to motor cars on the Embankment, after expelling the drivers, and also dragged destination boards off trams, but the traffic was almost uninterruptedly maintained everywhere. No police were injured.

MEN ARE WELL CONDUCTED.

“‘MISLED BY A FEW HOTHEADS.”

RUGBY, November 1

The hunger marchers, numbering about 2300, who came to London from the different parts of the country last week, are being provided with food and shelter by public authorities. Sir Cyril Cobb, Chairman of the •London County Council Public Assistance Committee, testified to their good behaviour in the institutions where they have been lodged, and the authorities also agree they have conducted Themselves in an orderly fashion during their demonstrations. In accordance with the usual custom they have been given permission to hold meetings in Hyde Park and Trafalgar Square. The minor disturbances attending those gatherings, without doubt, are -caused by local hooligans, who used the presence of the unwielding crowds to. provoke trouble. It is understood the mar hers, on completing the programme of demonstrations, will in the next few dlays return by train to their homes.

The general impression is that they have been misled into a pointless effort by a few hotheads.

The widest public sympathy is felt for genuine unemployment, some criticism has been levelled at the authorities for allowing too much latitude for their demonstrations, which had only served to obstruct London traffic on two occasions.

THEATRE GOERS PROTECTED.

LONDON, November 1

The police protected and shepherded the crowds leaving the theatres in London last night. In one case, some men and women who were wearing evening dress were surrounded, threatened, and abused by the demonstrators, who were speedily dispersed. All was quiet at midnight, and the police were withdrawn. About fifty arrests however, were made.

One policeman was injured through being kicked, and was taken to the hospital.

A COMMOTION 1 IN THE HOUSE. ,

LONDON, November 1

During a discussion in the Commons, a man in the public gallery shouted, “Abolish the means test. In the name of millions of unemployed, I demand that the workers be received!” ' v

Attendants rushed at the man,, who, while being removed, shouted, “Release Hanningtofl 1” The- scene lasted only a minute.