LONDON RIOT.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 October 1920, Page 5

LONDON RIOT.

WILD SCENES IN WHITEHALL, CASUALTIES TOTAL SEVENTY; BED FLAGS IX PROCESSION. .» By Telegraph.-"Press Asia.—Copyright. Received Oct. 19, 5.5 p.m. London, Oct, 18. Ten thousand London unemployed, headed by the Mayors of fifteen boroughs which elected Labor councils, marched to Downing Street. The procession included many exsoldiers, and dockers carrying red flags, which led to scrimmages, until the red flags were torn to pieces by hostile •laments, who were angered by cheers raised for a revolution. The disturbances were renewed in Downing Street while the Mayors were Interviewing Mr. Lloyd George. The crowd broke through the police cordon, necessitating the use of mounted police. There was some stone-throwing, several civilians and at least twenty police being injured. Finally the mounted police were ordered to clear' Downing Street and Parliament Street. The demonstrators continued the battle by flinging stones and bits of ({ranite at the police over the walls until the crowds were broken up. Mr. Lloyd George informed the Mayors that the London County Council was arranging to provide work for the unemployed during the winter, and a statement would be made in Parliament.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. London,. Oct. 18. It is estimated that from 50 to 100 persons were trampled down by police horses or hurt by flying missiles during the Downing Street riot.—Aua.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

[ SEVENTY PEOPLE INJURED. JEWELLER'S SHOP LOOTED. RIOfERS RAID A CEUB. Received Oct. 19, 9.20 p.m. London, Oct. 19. Seventy persons were more or less injured in the Whitehill riot. Twenty were removed on stretchers, and several were detained in hospital. The genuine demonstrators numbered about fifteen thousand, mostly ex-service men. The police and other witnesses state that the rioters numbered several thousand, nearly all "hangers-on" hooligans of the East End foreigner type, using the demonstration as a cover for lawlessness. Towards the close of the riot a jeweller's shop in the Strand, near Trafalgar Square, was looted. Another gang of rioters broke the doors of the Junior Army and Navy Club, and ransacked bags and portmanteaux in the vestibule. The police, in strong force, patrolled the streets in the neighborhood of Trafalgar Square to prevent further loot-ing.—Aus.-N.Z. CaWe Assn. ,

IKB PREMIER'S REPUT. GENEROUS HELP PROMISED, Received Oct. 19, 7.20 p.m. London, Oct. 18. Mr. Lloyd George, replying to the unemployment deputation, which included officials of ex-servicemen's organisations, said the Government was fully alive to the pledges given to soldiers, and intended making the moat liberal and generous provision for unemployment after a war. The Government had placed definite proposals before the London County Council to relieve unemployment, and would provide half the necessary money. Mr. Lloyd George added that the proposals must first of all be explained to Parliament, and he indicated there were bouse-building schemes providing employment for unskilled ex-service man, despite the building trade unions' veto.—Aua.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

CAPITAL AND LABOR. SEEKING BETTER RELATIONS. THE UNEMPLOYMENT PROBLEM. Received Oct. 19, 5.5 p.m. London, Oct. 18. Lord Weir addressed the Chamber of Commerce at Glasgow on the future relations of the State, capital, and labor. He said that if the Government was under an obligation to relieve unemployment it should have a voice in dealing with the policy that produced unemployment. It would be justified in seeking a revision of the trade union policy as to freedom of employment, and relief should be withheld from such unions opposing the utilisation of unskilled and semi-skilled workers. While it might be legitimate to decline work under specific conditions, it could not be legitimate to prevent others accepting these conditions, yet the unions were U9ing their power with ever-increasing tyranny and ruthlessness. Lord Weir urged a temporary stabilisation of wages for twelve months, and also a temporary increase in working hours—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.