ROWDY UNEMPLOYED

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 62, 6 December 1930, Page 10

ROWDY UNEMPLOYED

Christchurch Again POLICE INTERVENE MEETING DISPERSED Dominion Special Service. Christchurch. December 5. Trouble that has been threatening for some days between a section of the unemployed and the police showed signs of coming to a head about noon to-day in front of the City Courfcil Chambers, and later in Cathedral Square, where the men held a meeting without permission in defiance of the by-law. The police handled the situation in such a way that hostilities were avoided. Earlier in the morning the police had refused to allow the men to hold a meeting.in front of the Government labour bureau. According to statements made by the men they then adjourned to Victoria Square, and after being addressed by various speakers marched to the City Council chambers to see the Mayor, but the Mayor was out of town.

Then the police gathered round the leaders of the unemployed in the centre of the roadway in front of the chambers. There were cries of “If the police want trouble they’ll get it,” “Bring out the nine men in the police barracks with batons and we’ll bring out 900 batons,” “We’ll fight them fist for fist,” and similar shouts. The crowd was swelled by many, curious spectators, and motor-cars had some difficulty in getting through.

“We’ll Take Action.” After some argument the men decided to adjourn to Cathedral Square and hold a meeting there. Their spokesman said: “As fast as the cops pull down one speaker let another one get up. Let them run the whole lot of us in.” “If we don’t get a job within two days we’ll take action and it will be proper revolutionary action,” said one speaker. Another said that if the 900 jobs that had been promised were not forthcoming by Monday then action of a’ nature to be decided upon by the unemployed workers’ movement would be taken. It was also stated that a monster demonstration would be held through the streets of Christchurch on Monday and an appeal was made for women to come forward and head the procession. In the meantime the policemen had stood quietly by allowing the speakers to have their say but after some time an inspector came along and he apparently issued instructions for the meeting to be broken up so the speakers were gently shepherded off the “soap box” and there was no trouble. Reply to Mayor’s Letter. The Rev. J. K. Archer, the Mayor, has received a reply to the letter he wrote the Governor-General conveying to him the request of the unemployed that work should be provided for them. Lord Bledisloe expressed his sympathy with the unemployed and states that he is bringing the matter under the notice of the Ministers immediately.