NOW QUIET.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 27, 1 February 1934, Page 7

NOW QUIET.

RACIAL RIOTING.

OFFICIAL CONCERN.

Tense Feeling Still Exists in

Kalgoorlie Area.

PITIFUL PLIGHT OF REFUGEES. (United P.A.-Electric Telegraph-Copyright) (Received 11.30 a.m.) PERTH, this clay. Although Kalgoorlio and Boulder City are now quiet, the situation is still tense. Federal authorities have recalled the district commandant, Brigadier Martyn, who has gone on leave. Also 140 men have been chosen as special constables to act on the goldftelds. The Government is concerned not only on account of the loss of life and damage to property, but because of the possibility of international complications. The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Douglas, has left for Kalgoorlie by aeroplane. At Boulder City, when the men assembled for a meeting, pamphlets wei c issued bv Communists. 3' ar from inciting to riot, they stressed that foreigners were fellow-workers. "The outbreak is due only to long-smouldering animosities arising from'our economic competition and racial prejudice," one pamphlet stated. Estimates of the damage at Kalgoorlie and Boulder City vary from £50.000 to £70,000. The Premier, Mr. Collier, stated that the State Government was determined to control the situation at all costs. The large exodus of foreigners continues from Kalgoorlie and Boulder City. Hundreds, who arc homeless, with all their possessions lost in the lires, arc wandering in the bush between Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie, afraid of returning to their former places of residence. Two Lives Lost. As a result of the rioting at Kalgoorlie and Boulder City, which commenced oil Monday, one Montenegrin has been killed and a British subject, Charles Stokes, who suffered a knife wound, died later. It is impossible accurately to estimate the total casualties. Several people are in hospital suffering from gunshot wounds. It is quite apparent that the miners did not have things all their own way. Entrenched in a drain, the foreigners sought to defend themselves with shotguns, rifles and revolvers, but were finally driven out with jam-tin bombs and road metal. Then followed the complete destruction of the foreigners' huts. The crack of rifle fire and the bursting of bombs were plainly heard by people in the background. Dawn revealed a scene of terrible desolation. It was miraculous that many lives were not lost. The Kalgoorlie rioters yesterday met with their first check from the police. After wrecking the foreigners' camp at Dingbat Flat they returned to Kalgoorlie and entered -a boardingliousc which they had attacked on Tuesday. The rioters had begun to set fire to the place when the police swooped down upon them, used their batons, and drove them out. Then they quelled the fire. The opposite side of the street was occupied by the rioters, shouting threats, but the police were undaunted and moved the crowds on. They soon had complete control of the situation. Twenty Yugoslavs and Greeks from Kalgoorlie reached Perth yesterday. They told graphic stories of the rioting. They seemed dazed by the swift calamity which had overtaken them. Sobbing mothers were met by friends at the railway station and by pitiful gestures indicated their scanty belongings—all that remained of their worldly possessions. The refugees declared that miners' womenfolk looted their shops and homes after the men had wrecked them. A message from Melbourne says the Prime Minister, Mr. J. A. Lyons, states that the Government is watching the events on the West Australian goldfields and will co-operate with the State Government if the necessity arises in quelling the disturbances. The Consul for Yugoslavia, _ Mr. Marich, has protested against the attacks on his compatriots on the goldfields. He declares that the majority are naturalised British citizens, and he is appealing for assistance for the homeless and starving families of the innocent victims of the rioters' vengeance.