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DUNEDIN UNEMPLOYED

CLASH WITH POLICE BATONS FREELY USED [FEB PBESS ASSOCIATION.] DUNEDIN, April 11. The unrest which has been evident among the unemployed in Dunedin during the past few days came to a head this afternoon, when there was a rush by a crowd numbering several hundred, on the office of the Board. The rush was followed with a baton charge by the police. As a consequence, a number of people were treated at the hospital for head injur--16 From early in the morning a crowd of unemployed had been gathered in the streets, and about mid-day they assembled in front of the Town Hall, where the Mayor (Mr. R. S. Black),who attempted to I’eason with them, was subjected to some severe heckling. After two of the leaders of the mob had been allowed to address the crowd from the steps of the Town Hall, the Mayor refused to permit a third speaker to continue from that position, and an uproar followed for a few minutes. The crowd dispersed, and marched in a procession throughout the st-eets, eventually reaching the Queen’s Gardens, where they were addressed by a number of speakers. A decision was then made to march to the Hospital Board’s office, where on the crowd’s arrival, a cordon of police was found to be guarding the doors. After a brief parley- with the police, the crowd suddenly rushed the entrance. The police were jammed against the wall, and realising that the position was desperate, the police drew their batons, and they charged the crowd, which broke in all directions, though not before a few of their number had received damage to their heads.

Hanover Street, in which the Board’s office is situated, was quickly cleared of the demonstrators, and a shower of rain further damped the spirits of the unemployed, who dispersed throughout the city. After tea the unemployed again commenced to collect in the Tabernacle in King Street, where, by 7.30 p.m., 500 had congregated. The whole of the police force in the city has been ordered to report at the Central Station, and the country police have also been called in. It is feared that a clash may occur at any moment, as the police are determined not to permit the mob to control the situation. The meeting of unemployed to-night declared the relief works “black,” and it was decided that no one is to report for work to-morrow. SPECIAL POLICE AVAILABLE DUNEDIN, April 12. A big crowd assembled at the Octagon, this morning, where thirty police were stationed. There was no demonstration. Five hundred special constables are available for swearing in, Superintendent Eccles states. However, the unemployed reverted to the most sober kind of passive resistance, merely standing about corners and were not disturbed by the police. As the result of yesterday’s fracas, it is stated that several prosecutions are pending. In pursuance of last night’s decision to declare No. 5 Scheme “black,” pickets were out with only partial success, most groups working at least at part strength. Eighteen men walked off the Pine Hill job, but 60 remained. It is reported that buses attempting to take workers to Taieri River Trust Works were stopped and turned back.

WAIMAK CAMP.

CHRISTCHURCH, April 11.

The Waimakariri River Trust had planned to establish a camp with 150 four-day relief workers this week, but to-day only 57 men offered for this work. Unless the full number are in camp by this Wednesday, the engineer will recommend that the camp should be closed down.

The Trust, he stated, could not establish a camp costing £2OO, for 57 men, and unless the men selected came forward, he would recommend that the whole scheme be abandoned.

WELLINGTON’S PROBLEM

WELLINGTON, April 12.

A number of objections to go into camps have been received, said the Chairman of the Wellington Citizens’ Unemployment Committee, at a committee meeting, to-day, and in «his opinion these have to be considered on their merits. They have been asked to send men to Waimiha camp, but yesterday only 16 had offered, ten from Wellington and six from Petone. It was stated by the secretary that the reasons would have to be very sound ones for a man to be kept at work jn the city. The only official reason accepted as adequate for a refusal to enter camp was a medical certificate. A single man, working two days a week was not officially held to be assisting dependents. It was decided to approach the Unemployment Board asking for further instruction in the attitude to be adopted in dealing with single men who were necessary in a household of dependents, and suggesting that such men be delayed from going into camp, until it becomes absolutely necessary.

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/GEST19320412.2.35

Bibliographic details

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 April 1932, Page 5

Word Count
787

DUNEDIN UNEMPLOYED Greymouth Evening Star, 12 April 1932, Page 5

DUNEDIN UNEMPLOYED Greymouth Evening Star, 12 April 1932, Page 5