STRIKE DISORDERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 March 1922, Page 5

STRIKE DISORDERS.

TROUBLE IN AFRICA CLASH WITH POLICE. CITY WITHOUT POWER. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Capetown, Feb. 27. The first encounter of the strike between the police and the strikers has occurred. A troop of police sighted a commando et Roksburg during early morning. The commando showed fight and the police charged with batons. A fierce hand-to-hand conflict ensued with injuries on both sides. The Edenvale commando was then reinforced by the Bloemfontein commando, while another troop of police appeared and went in with batons to help their comrades. Details are lacking, but the police say that both commandos are now mostly casualties, while the police have also a number of casualties.

Received Feb. 28, 5.5 p.m. Capetown. Feb. 27. The employees at the Johannesburg power station have struck, and the town is without trams or power. It is expected there will be no light to-night. The police, in the brush with Bloemfontein commandoes, captured 27 and 10 were sent to hospital. Three police were injured and one sent to hospital in another affray. Owing to the strikers attempting to intimidate the East Rand proprietary works two policemen were injured, and a large number of arrests were effected.—Reuter. APPEAL TO THE STRIKERS. JOHANNESBURG IN DARKNESS. ANOTHER DYNAMITE PLOT. Received March 1, 1.5 a.m. Capetown, Feb. 28. The strike debate, which has lasted for five days, has concluded. After an all-night sitting the Government announced that they would adopt an amendment by Major Hunt, of the South African Party, affirming that in the best interests of the country the strikers should follow the Premier’s advice and return to work immediately on the best terms obtainable at the moment, pending an inquiry by an Imperial board appointed by the Government to deal with the issues raised by tue strike, and the changes required in the conditions and organisation of the gold-mining industry. The findings of the board will be laid before Parliament as early as possible this session. Major Hunt’s amendment was carried by 69 votes to 55, the Nationalists and the Labontes voting with the minority. Owing to the refusal of the power station employees at Johannesburg to handle socalled “black” coal, the town is in darkness. The police have taken possession of the power station, and the Government will carry on essential services. The civic guard has been called out. An attempt was made to dynamite the new law courts in the heart of the town, but little damage was done.—Aus.-N_Z. Cable Assn.