A REIGN OF TERROR.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 276, 19 November 1913, Page 5

A REIGN OF TERROR.

COOLIES GROW PUGNACIOUS. ARMED WITH KNIVES AND CLUBS. (Received 1.41 p.m.)

DURBAN, November 18.

A reign of terror exists in the north | coast of Xatal. The planters fear that' if the strikers get the upper hand the sugar-cane fields and sugar mills, worth hundreds of thousands, are likely to be wiped out. In one case 150 acres of cane were ' burnt, the Indians standing by cheering. The sugar settlements resemble mili- j tary encampments. The coolies are increasingly pugna cious, and are nrmed with cane-cutting knives and clubs. They refuse the masters' advances, remaining sullen and implacable. The majority of the Indians in the Kynoeh's works struck, r.nd a thousand deserters from the Elands Laagte collieries have arrived at Ladysmith with tbeir wives and families. A magistrate addressed them. Theii attitude was sullen and truculent, but they ultimately promised to return if their fellow-workers were released from

prison. A riot, however, occurred, but was quelled. The authorities are now armina the police and enrolling an armed force of townsmen.