RIOT IN SYDNEY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 67, Issue 243, 26 July 1947, Page 5

RIOT IN SYDNEY

Protest at Dutch Policy STUDENTS CLASH WITH POLICE (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright.) SYDNEY, July 25. Hundreds of people were involved in a riot in the centre of Sydney this afternoon, when university students and wharf labourers marched to the Dutch Consulate in Margaret Street to protest against the Dutch policy in Indonesia.

Police snatched banners and pamphlets from the demonstrators, and a free-for-all fight started. Several men were knockaed to the ground, and many were carried away bleeding. The staff of the Dutch Consulate, on the eleventh floor of the building, poured water on the fighters below, drenching policemen' and women university students. In the struggle, at least two women students were knocked down, and one had her stockings and frock ripped. A number of women in the crowd fainted.

At one stage, it looked as if about 3000 people would become involved in the fight. The crowd repeatedly counted out the police, and shouted: “We want peace, not bashings.” • Special squads of police gained the upper hand after using, in some cases, banner poles as weapons. While police were being rushed to the scene from all parts of the city, demonstrators were fighting with other police to block their entry, r 1 Eight In Streets Students assembled in a nearby park marched to the building where the Consulate is located. More than 50 police rushed from the building when a deputation of students tried to enter, and within a few minutes the situation became ugly. \ About 20 demonstrators were taken to the police station, Fighting women strongly resisted when the police attempted to place them in patrol waggons. All city and nearby police stations were asked to send every available man, and all police patrol cars were rushed to the scene.

Waterside workers rushed to the assistance of students fighting with the police. Fists and boots flew as the demonstrators yelled and screamed. One constable, striving to seize a placard, was tackled low and upended. Other police came to his rescue, and the standard-bearer was hustled into a patrol van. A plain-clothes detective was tossed over the shoulder of a burly demonstrator and sent sprawling. Some demonstrators broke free from the police and ran into the building, but they were headed off by other police .Even after police reinforcements ar rived, it took them an hour to clear the crowd and restore order. A second riot was threatened when demonstrators held another meeting in Wynyard Park. At a signal, police rushed into the park, trampling on flower-beds and shrubs, and manhandled the crowd of several hun dreds out of the park. Some blows were struck, but no further arrests were made.

Demonstrators continued to gather in groups at nearby . street corners under the watchful eyes of police patrols. Later a section of the crowd moved to King Street and a serious situation developed on N the corner of Pitt Street, and the demonstrators moved to George Street. A comb-out of nearby hotels was ordered Avheri distui’bances started in them. “MOST DISGRACEFUL FOR « YEARS” (Rec. 11.40) SYDNEY, This Day. All those arrested in connection Avith the riot in the city yesterday afternoon have been released on bail. The police superintendent, Mr W. R, Lawrence, who overpowered two of the demonstrators, Avhom the police arrested, said that the riot Avas the worst and most disgraceful for many years. Four policemen Avere injured.