AUCKLAND MARCH

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 170, 14 April 1932, Page 9

AUCKLAND MARCH

’Unemployed Demonstration

CLASH WITH POLICE Men’s Leaders Restore Order MAYOR RECEIVES DEMANDS By Telegraph—Prose Association. Auckland. April 13. By far the largest demonstration of unemployed since the beginning of the present depression took place in Auckland to-day, when a large number of men marched through the city to the Town Hall as a protest against the present conditions of relief work, and particularly against country camps. The wen presented a set of demands to the mayor, who briefly addressed the crowd of demonstrators and others, numbering several thousand, and undertook to forward the demands to the I Minister in Charge of Unemployment, ithe Kt. Hon. J. G. Coates. The demonstrators then continued their march 'through the streets in a procession fully a quarter of a mile long. In Shortland Street a clash with the police occurred, when some of those near the head of the procession considered that the driver of a motor-lorry was trying to break through the line of march. A handful of constables drew their batons, and there was a lively melee for a few seconds, until a number of the leaders mounted the lorry, and by loudly exhorting their followers prevailed upon them to resume their march. So far as could be ascertained there were no Injuries, except doubtless some bruises. I A second meeting was held outside tbe Town Hall, and after being Informed that their demands had been telegraphed to Wellington, and that -t reply was being awaited, the men obeyed their leaders’ orders to disperse until to-morrow morning, when they were directed to demonstrate in their own districts.

| Later a telegram was received by the mayor from Mr. Coates to tbe effect that the Government and the Unemployment Board were finalising revised arrangements for relief, and that, while reasonable suggestions would be considered, the present claims were extravagant and could not be entertained. DEMANDS MADE Telegram to Mr. Coates EXTRAVAGANT CLAIMS Extravagant demands made by unemployed demonstrators iu Auckland have drawn an emphatic reply from the Minister in Charge of Unemployment, Kt. Hon. J. G. Coates, to whom the men’s representations were communicated yesterday in a telegram from the Mayor of Auckland, Mr. G. AV. Hutchison. The Mayor’s telegram was as follows :—“Deputation representing several thousands unemployed who left work to-day to hold demonstration in city handed me following demand to be forwarded to you and asked that an urgent reply be made. They propose continuing demonstration until reply received. "We demand adequate employment nt a living wage of £4 a week lor all workers. As an alternative we demand: — “(1) That the present Unemployment Act be abolished and be replaced by a scheme, the funds of which shall be raised from the profits of industry and from large land holdings, weekly payments of same, Io be as follows:—(a) Single persons, male or female, £2 a week; married, £3 a week; (b) child allowance, 10/- for each child up to the age of 16 years; (c) adolescents from 1.6 to 20 years. £1 a week. “(2) Provision of restaurant mid dormitory for single unemployed under the control of the workers themselves. “(3) Use of public buildings as meeting plac.es, dormitories and rest places for the unemployed. "(4) Accommodation for women and girls and free medical, hospital and maternity attention for all unemployed wives and their families. “(5) Adequate clothing to be provided by th? Stale authorities.' "(6) Abolition of all relief works. "171 Resignation of Unemployment Board. , ' "(St The withdrawal of all men from camps, both single and married men. "(9) Immediate setting up of a com- „ tniltee to deal with the matter of unemployment, representation on this committee' to be granted to a duly accredited unemployed representative.’’ The following reply .has been sent by Mr. Coates to the Mayor of Auckland "Thanks for your telegram, reporting representations placed before you by certain unemployed. The Government is prepared to consider reasonable suggestions bearing upon the problem and with the Unemployment Board tire now finalising revised arrangements for relief, but tbe extravagant claims presented to you will not. be entertained. You may convey this to any men concerned and advise them to accept relief work and assistance offered.” "CEASE WORK” CALL FAILS Men Continue on Many Jobs By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, April 13. . In spite of the proposal that all relief works should cease this morning as a protest against the relief camps scheme, work proceeded normally on many relief undertakings In Auckland and suburbs. In some cases the full complement of men turned to. while in others every man laid down his tools. A division of opinion occurred in some of tbe gangs, with the result that while a number ceased work the rest of the gang carried on. Some gangs were depleted only because the men absent had completed their quota of work for the week. Pickets called at the various jobs to determine the attitude of the men, and in some cases were not favourably received.

No disorder occurred, aud the men who decided to work did so without hindrance.

Police protection was provided for the workers, but their services were not rendered necessary.

in some cases the men took a secret ballot among themselves, Irrespective of the instructions of the executive, and as a. result they decided to carry on with their work.