FRACAS IN LONDON.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 October 1921, Page 5

FRACAS IN LONDON.

POLICE AND UNEMPLOYED. SCENES IN WEST END. EVIDENCE OF POVERTY. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Oct. 5, 7.40 pjn. Londoft, Oct. 4. A demonstration by unemployed occurred in the Strand and Trafalgar Square. and when the police attempted to divert the demonstrators to Hyde Park the procession broke up. The demonstrators made for Trafalgar Square as individuals, and when several thousand had gathered speakers attempted to address the gathering. Mounted police and other constables im* mediately cleared the Square, but other unemployed rushed the cordon. The police drew their truncheons and drove the demonstrators towards the steps of St. Martin’s Church, adjoining the Square. Several were knocked down and arrested, and some police were also injured owing to the throwing of glass bottles. Finally the demonstrators were dispersed. Prior to the affray in Trafalgar Square seven thousand unemployed marched in most orderly fashion along Piccadilly to Hyde Park, escorted by a large body of police. Zteuiy of the demonstrators were ex-service men. including a number decorated and many wounded. There were three sections of women, who bore marks of obvious poverty and hunger. Several were weeping and others were pushing perambulators. The demonstrators created a most profound impression as they marched through the busiest and most fashionable West End shopping centres. They were frequently cheered from the tops of ’buses. . The fracas in Trafalgar Square, which Was due to a misunderstanding, only lasted a few/mintotes. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable lAscn.