ALL QUIET.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20524, 18 April 1932, Page 9

ALL QUIET.

THE SITUATION IN AUCKLAND. I STREETS FILLED WITH PEOPLE. TACTFUL WORK BY POLICE. (press association telsgbam ) AUCKLAND, April 17. all quiet this evening, no serious disturbances have occurred since Friday niglit, although over tho week-end the streets have been well filled with people, mostly sightseers, gathering to see if anything should happen. "While no incidents comparable to the disturbances in the city and in Newton on Thursday and Friday nights took placo last night, a congregation of a large number of people at the top of Symonds street provided an opportunity for an outbreak, but by their tactful handling of the crowd the police were able to disperse them. . Window Broken. About half-past ten, when tho crowd was thinning out, a window in a shop was broken by a stone, but the offender was quickly apprehendod, and nothing further came of tho incident. During the evening groups of men, with a fair sprinkling of women, gathered on tho footpaths near tho top of Symonds street, most of them being obviously sightseers. For no apparent reason tho crowd slowly increased until by 9 o'clock there ivere probably 2000 people in the vicinity. SmAll parties of uniformed police mingled "with the crowd, but special' police ■were not in evidence. For the most part the crowd was in a good-natured mood, and appeared to be waiting for something to happen. Mounted Police Called. As an appeal to the crowd to dispense had no effect, a detachment of mounted constables was called up and although they moreJy rode np one sido of Symonds street and down the other, their presence had a sobering effect. By half-past ten tho area had resumed its normal appearance. As soon as the theatre crowds had passed through tho locality the extra police were withdrawn. The authorities have been thoroughly organised to meet any emergency in all parts of the city and suburbs. Last night strong patrols operated, but there were no incidents in Queen street or in the suburbs. Crowd Sings. A crowd of about 1000 gathered at the entrances to the Domain this afternoon. The entrances were guarded by tho police, tho proposed meeting of unemployed having been banned by the authorities. After about half an hour Messrs J. A. Loe and A. S. Richards, M.P.'s, walked through the crowd and proceeded in tho direction of tho outer Domain. They wero followed by tho crowd, and thoir arrival in the outer Domain was greeted by cheers by the few hundrod people there. The membors of Parliament persuaded the crowd to sit down and sing songs, but on the approach of a posso of 20 police there was a hostile demonstration. Mr Leo appoaled to the crowd to bo orderly and to go home. Mrs Lee accompanied her husband. The crowd gradually dispersed without incident.

MEETING THE POSITION. THE GOVERNMENT'S PLANS BILL TO BE INTRODUCED. [From Our Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, April 27. Emergency legislation to strengthen the hands of the authorities in dealing with civil commotions such as the Auckland riots will be introduced by tho Government on Tuesday afternoon and put through all stages at one sitting. In making the announcement when Cabinet rose last 'evening the Primo Minister, the Et. Hon. G. W. Forbes, said the Government desired to secure adequato authority to back the forces of law and order in meet' ing a situation which had not previously been encountered in New Zealand. He was unable at that juncture to indicate tho contents of the Bill that would be introduced, as investigations had not yet been completed as to exactly what amplified powers would be necessary. Cabinet would further consider the matter on Monday. He thought only a short Bill would be required and no difficulty was anticipated in having it ready for presentation as soon as Parliament reassembled after tho week-end recess. Tho legislation would, he expected, be readily endorsod by all sections of the House. Complete Flans Made. Cabinet held two meetings yesterday and tho happenings at Auckland were discussed at both sittings. Mr Forbes gave an assurance that complete plans had been prepared for meeting any emergency, but ho did not anticipate the trouble would spread. Discussing the situation generally, Mr Forbes said a largo body of civilians had offered their services, and would supplement tho police force at short notice. Every step would be taken to put down trouble as tho Government would not countenance violence and insurrection. Agitators throijghout the country are being watched closely by Cabinet, which is being advised at frequent intervals of the latest moves in Auckland. The Government is understood to have arranged for tho warships of the New Zealand division to remain at Wellington meantime, and it is fully prepared to utilise the services of armed naval detachments should the emergency arise. The Wellington civic authorities liavo been in touch with the Government with a view to complete eo-operation in the event of trouble.

PRECAUTIONARY WORK SHOPS BARRICADED WITH TIMBER. (rails association tilsobau) AUCKLAND, April 16. Men were working overtime to-day boarding up windows of shops in Queen street and in the neighbourhood, tho owners apparently deciding to take no risk over the week-end. Significant of the present state of affairs is the reappearance after nearly a quarter of a century of shutters in one Shortland street premises. In Queen atreet many of the shop fronts are being boarded up in a very effective manner. Carpenters are having a busy time and the staffs in some of the big shops have also been helping in this precautionary work. There is similar activity in all suburbs where shop windows were cleaned of goods. This was done long ago in tho city, and timber and roofing iron used to barricade the shops. Protective Forces. A combined protective force of close on 3000 men has been organised for the week-end. It includes police and mounted police, special constables, cavalry, and naval detachments. A conference lasting nearly two hours was held at the Drill Hall this morning. It was attended by the Mayor, Mr G. W. Hutchison, representatives of the police, volunteer forces, Navy, Transport Board, and Harbour Board, when general organisation for the protection of the city and suburbs was discussed. "I have nothing to say except that arrangements were made for future action in the event of trouble," said the Mayor, at the conclusion of the conference. "The force of special police tonight approaches 2QOO. The manner in which the citizens have come forward for enrolment as special police, and the assistance offered in many ways by various organisations is more than gratifying/' said the Mayor. Ho added that there was no doubt many men in the streets last night were prepared for trouble, as the authorities knew they went to Karangahape road with rocks in their pockets. MEETINGS FORBIDDEN. GOVERNOR-GENERAL SENDS MESSAGE. (PHES3 ASSOCIATION TELE->Jlil£.) AUCKLAND, April 16. The Governor-General (Lord Bledisloe) has sent the following message to the Mayor of Auckland (Mr G. W. Hutchison): — "You and your city have my deepest, sympathy in your present distresses. I earnestly trust that reasonable counsels will now prevail and that the' city's traditional high reputation for the observance of law and order will be speedily re-established. "I desiro that every civilian should realise that the police have now full authority to clear tho streets," said the Mayor this afternoon. "If any trouble arises owing to people being assemblod I will read the Itiot Act to force spectators off the thoroughfares, and if they do not then disperse they will bp liable for prosecution on a criminal charge. "All meetings, in public place?. arc prohibited, and a ban has been placed on the meeting that was arranged to be held in the Domain to-morrow. If any attempt is made to hold the meeting thoso concerned will be taking a very serious responsibility."

OFFENDERS BEFORE COURT. MAGISTRATE GIVES WARNING. (run assocutiok nuomi*.) AUCKLAND, April 16. Fifty-eight shop windows smashed in Karangaliapo road or the vicinity represented the mob's achievement last night. Over 20 arrests wore made and the culprits appeared in the Magistrate's Court this morning, when the Magistrate, Mr i\ K. Hunt, 8.M., remarked that the section of the Act under which moat of the offenders were charged should be amended in such times. The maximum sentence of three months' imprisonment was too little, he said. He added that yesterday he had treated the offenders leniently, but the public after reading the Mayor's appeal to them not to stay unnecessarily in the streets had disregarded it. Now offenders would know what was coming to them. Several of those charged to-day received the maximum term of three months' 'gaol. In addition to the rioters, John Sharp, aged 36, and Frank Edwin Lark, described as prominent leaders of the unemployed, were charged with inciting to lawlessness. They were remanded on bail of £SOO.

CAUSE OF FIRE IN CHURCH. STATEMENT BY VICAR. (ra*s» "association t*l*3»ak) AUCKLAND, April 16. The Kcv. Jasper Calder, the wellknown City Missioner and also vicar of tho Church of the Epiphany in Karangahape road, declared this morning that the fire in the church last night was a clear case of incendiarism and the police have been notified of the suspicious actions of two people. The church's loss is very serious, including choir robes, surplices, cassocks, and altar hangings. Mr Calder saved the communion plate and the church records by dashing into the smoke. The organ and the choir's library were destroyed. V ENGLISH OPINION. NEW ZEALAND RIOTS DISTURBING. EFFECT OF POST-WAR ECONOMICS. (united press association—bt ilictuio TELEGRAPH—COPt*I3BT.) LONDON, April 15. The "Manchester Guardian," in an editorial, says: "The New Zealand riots /ire disturbing. They have reminded us that the poverty and hardship brought about by the economic crisis and conditions must unquestionably be

serious to lead to such a display of violence in a country no less law abiding than ours. "The Government has horoically tried to balance the Budget, but it cannot by itself alter tho world depression. NewZealand, like very other country, is suffering from Europe's crazy post-war economics." FIRM'S LOSS. Three large plate-glass windows in J. B. McKenaie and Company's store in Queen street, Auckland, were smashed during the riot on Thursday night, and all the stock in the windows was citluer broken or stolen. Much of the stock in tho shop also suffered severely. Although no accurate estimate has yet been made, tho firm's loss is believed likely to run into several hundreds of pounds. RIOTING DEPLORED. (fSKSS association vEicastU')

MASTERTON, April 17.

At' a Labour Party demoiutration held in ilastcrton this afternoon, a resolution was passed condemning the Government's policy and calling upon it either to amend its policy or resign. The speakers were Messrs W. E. Barnard and J. O'Brien, members of Parliament, who, referring to the Auckland disturbances, deplored the rioting, hut said the Government oould not escape responsibility. The meeting was most orderly throughout, th«r« being an attendance of about 500. PROCESSIONS PROHIBITED. (*•■*( W3OCUTIO* T*UQ*4K.) TIMAKU, April 16. The police liave definitely decided that there shall be no processions, demonstrations, or open-air meetings within ths precincts o£ tHo borough. SPECIAL CONSTABLES OFFERING. ARRANGEMENTS FOR ENROLMENT, truss* 48I0QUTIO* rcuasiii.) WELLINGTON, April IT. About 300 people attended at the Basin Reserve this afternoon in response to sa announcement by the Unemployed Workers' Movement that a mass meeting would bo held, Speeches criticising the Government's policy were delivered by several of the Movement's leaders. The crowd then dispersed quietly. Large numbers of citizens are offering their services as special constables, and arrangements are being made for, the enrolment of as many as the authorities may deem advisable. RIOTING DISAPPROVED, (MISS MIOCWTJOW VRtMBAX.) TIMARU,ApriI IT. At a largely attended >meeting of the South Canterbury Returned Soldiers ' Association last aught the following resolution was carried unanimously: "That unemployed members of the Association disapprove any form of demonstration which is liable to lead to disorder, and resolves to take no part in any such demonstration." LAWLESSNESS CONDEMNED. A well-attended meeting of relief workers was held at Eangiora on Saturday evening. The following motion was carried unanimously:—"We, the unemployed of Eangiora borough, county, and rural districts, do hereby unanimously record our sympathy with the sufferers in Auckland through the despicable methods adopted of lawlessness and destruction by extremists, and we pledge ourselves to use constitutional methods alone in the meetings that we may hold from time to time in seeking the sympathy, co-operation, and assistance of . the public and local bodies in furtherance of our just claims and interest in our distress. We appreciate the work of the local Unemployment Committee in endeavouring to get the best terms they can for us. We know that the alienation of public sympathy is the end of our hopes, and we can only gaia redress and help by trusting to the intelligence and generosity of our countrymen in happier positions J'