FORCED TO SHOOT.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 261, 3 November 1928, Page 9

FORCED TO SHOOT.

BATTLE ON WHARVES

Police Use Firearms In

Melbourne Riots.

THREE WATERSIDERS HIT.

(Received 1.30 p.m.)

MELBOURNE, this day.

A pitched battle between unionists and stevedores and the police on one of the Port Melbourne wharves yesterday culminated in three unionists being shot.

The men wounded are: Allan Whittaker, who is in a serious condition with a bullet in his right jaw; James Williams, who has a bullet in his right arm, and George Gray, who was wounded in the left shoulder.

Two policemen named Holton and Caldwell were injured with stones. Scores of unionists received minor injuries from batons, and several of them were thrown into the sea. They were either rescued or paddled to safety.

About 1000 unionists gathered round the gates of Princes pier in the morning and demanded admission. When this was refused they stormed the gates.

Armed with sticks and stones the mob overwhelmed the police, whose batons were ineffective. Consequently they were compelled to shoot.

The battle had raged for half an hour before the infuriated mob was dispersed. All work came to a standstill and Princes pier was isolated and large overseas vessels, including the Chitral, were idle.

A hundred extra policemen were brought from the country to Melbourne to help to maintain order. 'Plane Swoops on Mob. An aeroplane swooped down on the rioters while the battle was in progress. The men feared a machine gun would be fired from it at any moment, and scattered and ducked their heads. However, nothing of the kind happened. A similar incident occurred on Thursday when the cruiser Brisbane fired a gun which was only being tested. Shots were fired at a tug, on board of which volunteers were being taken to work at Port Melbourne this afternoon. Stones were also thrown and one free labourer was injured. An attempt was made to raid the steamer Port Adelaide, but the chief officer of the vessel drew a revolver and repulsed the attackers. Representatives of the unionists and stevedores interviewed the Premier of Victoria, Mr. E. J. Hogan, and asked him to restrain the police from using firearms. Otherwise, they said, they A-ould have to resort ;o firearms themselves. Mr. Hogan gave the men to understand that the police were bound to preserve law and order. He promised to call the Cabinet together to discuss the latest developments. The Police Commissioner, General Blarney, says yesterday's firing by the police was justified. Otherwise they would have been overwhelmed and tho strikers would have gained control. Further drafts of police are being brought to the city, but there is no need to enrol special constables as the existing force is sufficient. Mr. Crofts, secretary to the Australian Council of Trade Unions, says that body intends to urge Mr. E. J. shooting, which was unnecessary against shooting which was unnecessary against unarmed men. GOVERNMENT WEAK. Victoria's Labour Cabinet At Fault. j | BRUCE'S CHARGE. j (Received 1.30 p.m.) MELBOURNE, this day. Mr. S. M. Bruce, speaking in the country during his election tour, declared that the Federal Government intended to see that adequate protection was afforded the volunteer watersideri Referring to the latest attacks on frea labourers, the Prime Minister said that attempts were being made to intimidate and drive off the wharves the men who had come to the help of the country in time of a national crisis. The Federal Government was determined that this must stop. It was the State Government's duty to see that intimidation was stopped and he could only draw the conclusion that the Victoria Administration had been recreant to duty since it had never announced definite intentions. Mr. Hogan, Premier, should have come out and informed the people that his Government was there to preserve law and order and would take all steps to prevent attacks on workers on the waterfront. This would have had a tremendous effect. The present happenings were significant and should be studied closely in view of the approaching elections, because there had been indications in the past three weeks that if the Labour Government were placed in power a state of disorder, chaos and uncertainty would follow. Mob rule and violence must not be permitted.

WOOL TO MARKET. SIX SHIP LOADS LEAVING. (Received 11.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, this day. Six ships are sailing for British and Continental ports to-day from Sydney carrying 54,000 bales of wool valued at £1,350,000.