POLICE ON STRIKE

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 107, 2 November 1923, Page 7

POLICE ON STRIKE

SERIOUS POSITION IN MELBOURNE

WHOLE FORCE REFUSES DUTY

- SPECIAL CONSTABLES BEING ENROLLED.

(UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPYRIGHT.) ! (Received 2nd November, noon.) | "'MELBOURNE, This Day. Mr. Lawson, Prime Minister of Victoria, commenting on the police strike, said that tba discipline, efficiency, and loyalty of the Force were essential to law and order in the community. The grievances would not be considered in j view of the threats of a strike. The Victorian Police Association has recommended its members to resume their duties until representations are made to Parliament; but the night staff was resolutely opposed to a compromise. The Commissioner brought reinforcements from suburban stations to replace the strikers, but as they arrived they refused duty, and were dismissed from the Force. Excepting the Criminal Investigation Department, practically the whole of the Police Force has refused duty. The authorities are taking steps to swear-in special constables for temporary protection and are abb calling on retired constables. (Received 2nd November, 12.30 p'ni ) _„ _ v MELBOURNE, This Day. lne Cabinet decided that the police must, resume their duties unconditionally. When this intimation was conveyed to the poltfe, the night' quota refused duty. >

A cable message published yesterday (and apparently wrongly dated as from Sydney) stated: The night staff of police refused to take over their beats at 10 o clock unless the existing system of control by senior constables in plain clothes was discontinued. Later, the impasse was temporarily overcome by the Commissioner promising to abolish the system pending a consultation with the Ministry, at which the police will be represented, and the beats were resumed at 1 o'clock.