FREE FIGHT AT LONDON DOCKS!

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3591, 2 August 1912, Page 5

FREE FIGHT AT LONDON DOCKS!

SEVERAL SANGUINARY ENCOUNTERS.

UNIONISTS MAKE DESPERATE ATTACK ON FREE LABORERS.

A STEAMER BESIEGED.

STONES AND BOTTLES FLYiNC.

OVER SIXTY REVOLVER SHOTS FIRED.

SEVERAL MEN GRIEVOUSLY WOUNDED.

FURTHER RIOTS THREATENED,

[UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT]

(Received August 1, 11 p.m.) LONDON, August 1Tho lightermen are assured of work, lmt large numbers of the. dockers and stevedores have lost- thoir 'posts, the employers refusing to dismiss efficient men employed during the strike. This is the chief cause of the riots. A fierce fight ensued at the Custom House at the entrance to the Victoria Dock.

Unionists on Tuesday morning attended outside the docks, but wore not called and_ yesterday they entered to compete with the free laborers. The struggle- developed into a free fight with stones and bludgeons.The Unionists chased the free laborers, some taking refuge in the New Zealand Shipping Company’s offices. Before these were reached several shots were fired, but nobody was hit. The police dispersed the pursuers, but the light spread over tlie whole dock.

Five hundred strikers attacked 200 free laborers who were unloading grain aboard the City of Colombo.

Many employed on neighboring vessels ceased work and joined in the attack, but the gangway was withdrawn. Two free laborers in a- barge were severely handled and the strikers then attacked tho steamer with stones and bottles.

The men aboard replied and the strikers, sheltered under the ship’s side, fired several shots. Tho conflict lasted 45 minutes, and though half-a-dozen constables were nresent, they’were powerless until, reinforcements arrivin''’ the strikers were driven off. Tile captain denies that any shots were fired from the City of Colombo. Stones badly injured two of the men aboard and their comrades, terrified, abandoned the ship. The strikers later blocked the roadway outside tlio Custom House and ignored the police order to make way for traffic. Mounted* constables then charged with batons and a number of arrests were. made.

Six free laborers earlier in the day. greatly outnumbered, were attacked by strikers at the entrance to the Albert Dock.

One of the free laborers named Norman fired, wounding two of the strikers. one grievously in the throat. Norman stated that the strikers kicked him.

Further riots a i'e threatenedDuring the riots at least GO shots were fired and seven persons were wounded by this means. Twenty men were taken to the hospitals. Many arrests were made.