WILD SCENES IN CHRISTCHURCH.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 April 1918, Page 4

WILD SCENES IN CHRISTCHURCH.

ASSEMBLING OF SECOND DIVISKJi RESERVISTS. , , y STRUGGLE WITH THJ3 POLICE. By Telegraph.—(Press Association. Christchurcli, Last Night. The keenest interest was taken (So-day in the assembling of the first section of tile Second Division to go into camp. A big crowd of people gathered in the vicinity of King Edward Barracks during the afternoon, tile women folk bting in particularly strong force. Inside the barracks, where the reservists were being marshalled, there was a good deal of noise and hooting from the crowd. The Mftyor appeared on the balcony, and his presence was a signal for a wild demonstration. The cheering and hooting continued. "We want more money," shouted a man, and cheers greeted the announcement.

The Mayor, who was gazing at the up* heaval of the citizens from the balcony, was asked: "What do you think of it, Mr. Mayor?" by a voice from the.mob, but his Worship only sadly shook his head. Major Conway appealed to a police sergeant to clear the barracks, but the sergeant simply asked: "What can I do!" "I have asked you now three times to' clear the barracks," said Major Conway. "I canot do so. What can I do?" retorted the sergeant.

Finally the military authorities gave up the attempt to get an orderiy roll call of the men, many of whom were anxious to go to camp and expressed their intention of doing so. These were advised by officials to proceed singly" to the railway station to catch their train. A good proportion of the large crowd left the building, but a numerous section remained and indulged in ironie numbering off on parade and other cat-calls. Outside in the street a wild scene was taking place. The civilian .polled had undertaken the arrest of a man for disturbance, and when they tried to take him to the military barracks a dense crowd closed round, and many spectators, bhiefly women, urged the othera not to let them take him. Four or five big policemen grappled with the man, who was of athletic build, and he was being taken along, when the spectators surged in front and drove the police back to tlie ditch.

Here a Scene of indescribalble confusion occurred, and many people were hustled over, but ultimately the police got tlie man to the barracks and the gates were closed, women trying to climb the iron railings to get in. When the police got through and closed the gates on the crowd, they found themselves in a worse position t]mn before, for there was a crowd of about 500 people inside the building. Tihe struggle was renewed, and tho man got away, climbing over the iron gate into Castle street. The crowd in the barracks' remained very disorderly, and the Mayor, upon leaving the building with Major Morrison, was followed iby men, women, and youths, all. hooting and shouting offensive remarks. The North Canterbury draft of 28 men got away fairiy qnietly from the barracks, a big portion of the crowd following them. More difficulty was experienced in marshalling the Christchurfch draft on account of the crowd in the barracks, but eventually 90 (out Of about 150 on the list) were assembled at the back entrance to tho barracks, and were given their tickets and passes and directed to make their way to the railway station.

Despite the uproar in and around the barracks, the police kept their heads and tempers, and it was due to their tactful handling of the crowd that things did hot turn out far more serious. There was no demonstration at Lyttelton on the departure of the ferry steamer with the draft, only the usual farewells. It is understood that 145 reservists boarded the steamer out of an expected 275 men. These figures are for. the whole of the North Canterbury and South Canterbury districts, the latter coming through by train. Commenting on the afternoon's proceedings, Mr. Holland (Mayor) said it was a disgraceful exhibition. He did not think s uch n thing were possible while bo many at the front were doing their bit. DEFINITE ANSWER REQUESTED. Christcliurcli, April 29. Members of Parliament had a conference to-day with the Second Division Executive, and the. following telegram was subsequently sent by' Messrs Witty, Ell, Thaeker, and M'Cotobs to Sir James Allen:—"Very strong and anxious feeling here among Second Division men about the allowance to wives and children. Kindly state definitely and make public what Cabinet intends to do about allowances to soldiers' dependents-"

MR. ISITT PROTESTS AGAINST RESOLUTION. Christchurch, Last Night. The following is a copy of a letter sent this morning by Mr! L. -M. Isitt, M.P., to the chairman of the Second Division League's meeting: "I regret that after the passing of the resolution carried at Sunday night's meeting, and that carried at. a Second Division League meeting under a thin disguise on Saturday night, I cannot see my way to attend your meeting or in any way identify myself with your executive as at present constituted. If you have the right to refuse to defend your country and to leave in the lurch your comrades flfho are desperately struggling 'against the Prussian hordes, because injustices and inequalities exist that should be remedied, there is not a man who has died for you and yours, or who is to-day fighting in the Empire's defence, who has not an equal right to refuse service. I recognise that the National Government has not made as full provision as it should have done for your wives and children, and all that under existing conditions I feel warranted in doing I shall do to secure some increase."

Messrs M. J, Gresson (president) and L. J. Campbell, a prominent member of the Second Division League executive, have also resigned on account of Sunday night's resolution.

A STRONG RESOLUTION. Wellington, April 29. A meeting last night convened by the Second Division League adopted a resolution declaring that no Second Division man should leave for camp until the i league's demands were conceded, also Remanding »n election immediately.