Vigorous Methods

Evening Star, Issue 20996, 9 January 1932, Page 12

Vigorous Methods

Workless Demand Food Attempt Made To Storm Wardell Bros.’ Organised March Through Streets Situation Tactfully Handled by Police 'After having their demands for food again turned down by the Otago Hospital Board a large crowd of relief workers, whose numbers probably increased to 1,000 as the morning drew on, made a vigorous attempt to break into the premises of Messrs Warded Bros, with the intention of helping themselves to groceries. It so happened, however, that, under the charge of Superintendent Eceles, there were enough members of the police force present to deal with the situation, and, without bloodshed or any really drastic methods of repulse, the oncoming wave was swept back across the pavement on to the street. After the scuffle, which took place mainly on the pavement and doorway space of the shop, it was found that a large plate glass window had been shattered, but it was not clear whether or not a missile had caused the damage or whether a human body had been projected against the pane. One of the detectives v’ho helped to stem the tide was struck on the shin by a piece of concrete substance measuring quite 9in by 6in, but no other injuries were reported. The police must be highly complimented on the tactful manner in which they controlled the situation. It was evident that the relief workers’ one thought was to have their demand for food granted, and, in turn, their animosity appeared to be directed not at the police but at the circumstances and conditions which stood between them and the fulfilment of their desires. A huge crowd of onlookers assembled at the storm centre, and for a large part of the morning the tram traffic was held up.

ONCE MORE TO THE HOSPITAL BOARD BEGINNING OF DEMONSTRATION Not being satisfied with the answer given them by the Hospital Board yesterday afternoon, some 200 relief workers, whose ranks were subsequently swqjled threefold and more, gathered again at the corner of George street and the Octagon, and, armed with the slogans, “We want food” and “hood for all or food for nobody,” marched to the board’s premises in Hanover street. When the objective was a trumpeter twice sounded the “hall In” and the crowd surged up to the pavement on which stood Superintendent Eccles and three or four ot his men to greet them. . “ Good morning. Here we are again I What do you want this time?” said the superintendent good-naturedly. The responses were, in the mam, eciuallv good humoured, but one angry voice was heard to reply; “ What do you think we want? We want food. The assemblage was being rapidly increased by many people whose numbers included both genuine unemployed and those who came to the_ scene out or curiosity. Also present in the gathering were several women and children, the presence of these lending a more than usually pitiful aspect to the demonstration. THE DEMANDS. Through the medium of a policeman Mr Braithwaite sent a written note to the secretary of the Hospital Board (Mr J. Jacobs) outlining the demands of the unemployed workers. The demands were: Three-day-a-week men to receive 15s worth of food during each of three weeks in the month in which they worked, and £1 worth of food during their stand-down week; 2$ days men to receive 12s 6d worth during each of their working weeks, and .os worth on their stand-down week; and single men to receive corresponding quantities to the value of 7s od and 10s. In the meantime Superintendent Eccles invited people who were in need of assistance to come forward and put their cases in the manner suggested by the board, but the cry “ Food tor all or food for nobody” appeared so firmly embedded in the minds of the crowd as to act as a deterrent, and no progress was made. ASKED TO BE ARRESTED. When it was announced , that the board could not enlarge upon the promise made yesterday afternoon that it would handle necessitous cases individually, an ugly situation arose. Mating that his action was by way of piotest, Mr Braithwaite confronted the police and loudly demanded to be ar--1<?No arrest was made, but immediately afterwards there was a swift surge towards the door, the crowd for the first time gaining access to the footpath. The cry “ Mind the women was mainly responsible for easing the pressure, and a few minutes later it was agreed that the women _ should be allowed to go in and submit their appeal to the board’s relief officer. NO LUCK. One by one these women returned to the street and intimated that the rohei officer had told them no relief could be given if the husband had had any work This news rekindled the stronger feelings of the crowd, but another lull was effected when Superintendent Eccles responded to a request that he shou d approach the authorities and see what could be done. , On receiving the news that the hoard could do nothing more than what had already been promised, the men obeyed Mr Braithwaite’s > orders,* - About turn ” and & Fall info

SCENE AT WADDELLS' ANGRY RUSH AND BROKEN WINDOWS It was then that the significant march to Wardells’ was staged. Apparently the police had previously got wind of the intended invasion, for another guard was established outside these premises before the procession arrived. Nothing daunted by this spectacle, however, Mr Braithwaite, who still assumed the role of leader, halted his ranks outside the shop, and after _ addressing both the crowd and the police superintendent, stressing the determination of the unemployed to have food at all costs, led a hectic rush for the shop. In the ensuing scuffle Mr Braithwaite was seen to fall, and, despite the vigour of the general attack, only one man gained access to the door. A member of the detective force sent him reeling back to the street, and the breeze died down almost as quickly as it had sprung up, A broken pane of plateglass was practically the only thing which indicated that ‘ there had been a struggle, but one of the detectives, who had been struck on .the shin with a large piece of concrete, was limping rather badly. TRAM DRIVERS DEFIED. Meanwhile the traffic, particularly tram traffic, was held up, more than half a dozen cars having collected on each line. The people were worked up to such a pitch that they attempted to push trams and vehicles back, and angry cries greeted any motorist who attempted to be over-reckless in his endeavour to negotiate the crush. Scenes unprecedented in the history of Dunedin were seen when the trams were held up, several women actually throwing themselves on the line in front or the cars. It was found impossible to proceed with the service, and the manager (Mr Mackenzie) arranged for cars for the north to be diverted at the Stock' Exchange to_ proceed by way of Castle street. This expedient worked well, and people in the north were able to get home with a minimum of delay. At 1 o’clock the trams were still unable to proceed along George street, and it was deemed advisable, in view of the ugly temper of some of the crowd, not to attempt a passage till later in the afternoon. APPEAL TO TRADES HALL. At last Mr Gilchrist, who from one quarter was saluted with “We don’t want Labour, What’s the use of Labour?” came through the crowd, and after some delay was given audience. Mr Gilchrist expressed sympathy with those who were taking part in the demonstration, and denounced the economic system, which, he said, had led up to this pitiable state of affairs. However, although it seemed that physical force was now necessary if the people were to get what they wanted, and so keep starvation away_ from their doors, he did not deem it wise to repeat what had been attempted that morning. Mr Gilchrist’s attempts to pacify the men met with a mixed reception, but there came another lull when his offer to ring the Trades Hall and see what could be done there was accepted. Later, Mr Gilchrist announced that the union officials had very little money on hand, and that nothing could be done without a meeting of the General Labourers’ Union. “Even if the unions can give you something,” said Mr Gilchrist, “ it will be all too little to cover the crying needs of the times.” Subsequently some of the demonstration leaders began to argue among themselves, and the suggestion was submitted that a march to a wholesale place in Bond street should be made. Apparently, however, this idea was rejected, and the crowd remained outside vW.apdells’a ■

HIT WITH ROCK / THE SECOND PHASE A GENEROUS GIFT | \ Shortly after 11 o’clock the ance assumed unpleasant proportions again. A second window facing the street had been pushed in by the surging crowd and a large rock thrown from the road finished it. The damage to the windows is estimated at between £BO and £IOO. Several other rocks j came hurtling into the doorway, but, ; j fortunately, did not strike anyone at] that time. The contents of the windows j were hurriedly removed by the shop assistants. Then several of the leaders of the unemployed attempted to address the crowd. The first of these, a man named O’llorke, received for his pains a gash on the forehead, a piece of rock hitting him on the head. He was half-carried into the shop and his wound was dressed there. He was able to get' to his feet Mr John Gilchrist then spoke to the, the crowd. He first of all urged the men to let the trams get past, but this quite reasonable suggestion was howled down. One car did attempt to shift, but the pole connecting with the power line was immediately pulled off. Mr Gilchrist then announced that Mr Saumaris, the proprietor of the fish restaurant in George street, had very, f onerously offered to provide fifty or a undred of the men with a meal,: This seemed to be apathetically received. , . . The next move was the formation or a deputation to the deputy-mayor at the Town Hall. The crowd waited until this deputation returned emptyhanded, as none of the civic authorities could be located there. Talking quietly to the leaders of the men, Superintendent Eccles told them that he himself would go round the charitable and relief organisations and see what could be done for them, but the crowd wanted immediate action* and howled this suggestion down also. * Braithwaite was the next one to attempt to make himself heard. He said I that a Mr J. D. Poison, a retired farmer, had offered to contribute the sum of £lO there and then as the foundation of £IOO to be collected from the crowd, a generous offer then confirmed by Mr Poison himself. A further ten shillings was added, but the collection did not appear to make further headW Jt was subsequently announced that Mr: Poison had guaranteed the provision or J £IOO worth of goods from a shop in) South Dunedin, and orders were given I for the demonstrators to form up and, march out there. It is understood that! some of the men went to one of the Self-help stores and obtained temporary assistance there. ■ From then on the situation was much quieter. Most of the unruly element j appeared to have dispersed, and there, remained, in the centre of a curious j crowd of about two thousand, only a« few groups of demonstrators singing J the ‘ Red Flag ’ and other songs halfheartedly, „ , ‘ TV . Superintendent Eccles, Detectivesergeant Nuttall, Sergeants Vaughan and Boulton handled the crowd with the utmost tact. Superintendent Eccles talked quietly with the leaders, and never let the situation get out of hand.' In the first stages the police had no weapons to defend the shop, against the crowd, but later,a supply of batons arrived. Fortunately it was hot necessary to use them, as the demonstrators did not make a second attempt to storm the shop. They were given plenty of latitude, but were not allowed to overstep bounds again. HOSPITAL BOARD'S APPEAL NOSE BELIEF WORK REOUESTED 1 Yesterday the chairman of the Bps* pital Board forwarded the following telegram to the Prime Minister (Right Hon. G. W. Forbes) Deputation of over 400 waited on’ the board demanding more assistance than is provided by the Unemployment Board. Single men represented to be in desperate straits now relief depot closed. Married people with families also in sore straits. Strongly urge that you extend relief granted by Unemployment Board each week, i.ad also for fourth week. Mr Jacobs, secretary of the Hospital Board, has received the following reply from the Prime Minister: — Have received your telegram, and have noted your representations regarding the unemployment position in Dunedin, which I will discuss with the Minister of Unemployment on his return to Wellington. In reference to a statement attributed to her by one of the speakers at the unemployed deputation yesterday, Mrs Macdonald said this morning that she had arranged with the chairman of the Hospital Board to investigate and supply milk and whatever was | necessary in cases where there _were ( young babies, and to work in conjunction with the Plunket Society. The chairman had agreed to that arrangement some time ago FINAL SCENES CROWD DISPERSES From 1 o’clock onwards the demonstrators remained in front of WardelTs, Messrs Ballantye, Braithwaite, and others addressing the crowd from one of the verandah posts; Many of thosa who had taken part in the initial demonstration had gone by this time, but the crowd was increased by a number of onlookers. Finally an announcement was made that 800 parcels would be distributed from the relief depot ato 4 o’clock, and the gathering gradually dispersed, though little groups still held their ground, with the squad of police standing quietly in front of the shop*