RELIEF STRIKE

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 224, 16 May 1932, Page 5

RELIEF STRIKE

(Press Assn.-

ARRANGEMENTS MADE TO PICRET JOBS TO-DAY RIOTERS SENT TO PRISON

— By Telc eraoh — Copyr-lght)

WELLINGTON, Sunday. The weather discouraged congregating and the city was qidet and almost deserted. A few companies of temporai'y police reinforeed the regular police patrols. On Saturday evening a sharp eye was lcept on any suspicious looking crowds with motor-cars, it being reported that Communists were abroad on mischief bent, but nothing untoward took place. It is known that both the strikers and the Communist element in the city had motor-cars at their disposal. The strikers are making every effort to keep the peace, their cars being used to gather relief supplies. To-morrow the true extent of the Wellington relief workers' strike will become known. Jobs will be available in the morning for nearly 3000 men and if anything like that number reports for work what remains of the strike may be regarded as an empty gesture.

Solidarity Claimed On their part, the strikers profess to be united as solidly as ever. They admit, however, that men will be at work to-morrow, and on Saturday arrangements were made for the peatef ul picketing of the various Jobs. It has been announced offieially that picketing will be viewed seriously by the authorities and aUy molestation is to he dealt with sternly.

The strikers met qnietly at the Trades Hall on Saturday morning. It is probable that the strikers central committee, which held anothef long meeting on Saturday afternoon, will send delegates to meet representatives of organised labour tomorrow. Union officials are extremely reticent, but it is unllkely the strikers will be given much satisfaction, mainly -because neither the Alliance of Labour noi* the Trades and Labouf Council have as yet received formal advice as to the attitude of all unions. Itnprisoninent and Firies Prison sentefices ranging from 15 months down to One mobth and several fineS were imposed at the Police Court on Saturday afternoon on a number of men who had come before the coui't on various charges arising out of the recent outbreaks of violence in Wellington. Altogether 12 men were convicted on Saturday and dedisioU has been rei served in several cases. There ari still a number of charges to b& heard.