FREMANTLE RIOTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10272, 6 May 1919, Page 5

FREMANTLE RIOTS

EXTRAORDINARY SCENES WHARF LABOURERS FIGHT POLICE. EMPLOYMENT BUREAU WRECKED By Telegraph —Press Association Copyright FREMANTLE, May .5. The Government, as a result of the lumpers’ strike, announced that- it had taken possession of the wharves, an would work shipping and protect Earionalist workers. Following on this decision, barriers were erected on the wharves to protect the workers. When the volunteers were being driven to work in motor-cars, a large body of strikers met them with a volof stones. Police, armed witn bayonets, were sent to the scone, but they were powerless. Another body of volunteers in a launch attracted tho attention or the strikers, and the volley grew. Boulders and stones were showered down from a bridge, but, although the launch was badly damaged, no one was iniured. When the wharf was reached the strikers from the bridge charged a large body of mounted and foot police, and a scene of wild confusion ensued. After many on.both sides had been.injured, the strikers wore forced hack. Although repulsed, the strikers again came to the assault, and the situation of the police became so desperate that tho Riot Act was read, and cartridges handed out to the police. By tins time the crowd had reached enormous dimensions, bellmen having been sent to tho outlying districts by the strikers for reinforcements. After several shots had been fired, the police again charged, and ' a returned soldier received a wound in the leg The Government agreed to withdraw volunteers from the wharves. \ixer the melee a meeting of, returned soldiers passed a resolution announcing their intention to defend their rights against the tyranny ol the present Government, and to avenge the blood of their wounded comrade.

Later in the day a body of 4UOU unionists wrecked the Employment Bureau on the wharf. The total, .casualties during the riot were thirty-seven, twenty-six of these being police. A THREAT TO THE GOVERNMENT. LUMPERS WILL FIGHT TO BITTER END. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received May 5, 10.5 p.m.) PERTH, May 5. A big meeting made a demonstration in favour of the Fremantle lumpers. The president of the Labour Federation stated that if the Government intended to fight with loaded rifles and bayonets, the men would do likewise. A lumpers’ meeting condemned the Government’s action, and demanded tho withdrawal of Nationalists irons the waterfront. Everything is quiet to-day, hut it is stated that the majority, .of,, the lumpers are now armed and de'teriniued to fight to the hitter end. Cabinet is considering the situation.