NOT A RIOT

Evening Star, Issue 21099, 11 May 1932, Page 12

NOT A RIOT

RELIEF WORKERS AS BODY KEEP THE PEACE POLICE QUICKLY MASTER OUTBREAK The first crash of breaking glass came a minute or two before 6 p.m., and by 6.40 o’clock the city streets were guarded at every important point and patrolled by largo detachments of police and specials. Hundreds of special police in military formation appeared as if from nowhere, and uniformed men, mounted and on foot, had begun an intensive drive to clear and quieten every thoroughfare. This was carried out coolly and efficiently. This evening’s outburst was far from being a riot. The vast majority of demonstrating relief workers kept the peace, and although the temper or the mob at Parliament Buildings became a mutter for serious anxiety as the afternoon wore on, violence was averted. It was not until the mass of the demonstrators began to stream away from the gates that a very small section broke oft and began window-smashing. Lambton quay was swept as though by a sudden tornado, which disappeared as quickly as it had come. Hundreds of striking relief workers tramped quietly along the glass-strewn pavements in the wake of the vandals and the pursuing police. They were sobered and concerned by the evidence of destruction let loose as the result of the way they had chosen to air their grievances early in the afternoon. . An assembly of nearly 3,000 at Basin Reserve were informed by their leaders that the relief workers’ strike had been extended to practically every city and suburban job. Made bold by their numbers, the crowd decided to march to Parliament House, and a procession was formed up. As the demonstrators proceeded up Cambridge terrace they were joined by unemployed onlookers and 500 relief workers from Miramar, who had marched in from jobs on that area. The procession reached Parliament House about 3,600 strong, and a deputation was admitted at 3.30 p.m. to interview the Minister of Employment (Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates). It was not until 5.10 p.m. that members of the deputation returned to the waiting crowd and announced that a policy statement from the Minister would be published in the ‘ Dominion.’ The strikers were asked to meet at the Basin Reserve at 10 o’clock to-morrow morning and discuss their position in the light of the move made by Mr Coates. The crowd roared its disapproval of the delay, and there was a clamour for direct action, but the leaders managed to calm the majority, and the impromptu meeting was declared closed. It was then that the small minority broke away and ran amok, and the purposeless, lunatic window smashing began. No damage was done in Lower Manners street, Courtenay place, or in Cuba street. Many shopkeepers, anticipating trouble, had removed their wares from their windows.

The appearance of squads of special constables met with a mixed reception. The onlookers took sides, some calling out “ scabs,” and booing, while others maintained an air of quiet approval. Loitering was not allowed. The police constables patrolling the areas kept the public on the move. When a squad of mounted police passed up Cuba street about 6.30 p.m. there wero some hoots from groups of roving youths, who appeared to be on a tour of inspection. PROMPT ACTION BY POLICE. A would-be stone-thrower at the corner of Cuba and Vivian streets made the mistake of trying to do a little damage within sight of a police sergeant. His attempt was short-lived, and a quick arrest resulted in his being sent to the police station in a taxi. An attempt by three demonstrators to smash a window in Martin’s shoe store at the corner of Willis and Manners streets was frustrated by some policemen, who

quickly overpowered them, and, without ceremony, bundled them into tho rear of a private car which was parked nearby. If the window-smashers got a shock, it was nothing compared with that which the driver of the car and his two women passengers received. They were interestedly watching the march-past of the special constables, and the next thing they knew was that men had been flung on to the back seat of the car and a policeman was parked on each running board. The driver soon realised what had happened, and promptly headed for the nearest police station.