KALGOORLIE RIOT

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 43, 1 February 1934, Page 5

KALGOORLIE RIOT

HUNDREDS HOMELESS Communists Free from Blame FOREIGN EXODUS CONTINUES (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Received 1, 12.30 p.m.) PERTH, Feb. 1. Although Kalgoorlie and Boulder are now quiet the situation is still tense.. The authorities have recalled the district commandant, Brigadier Martyn, who had gone on leave. One hundred and forty men. have been chosen as special constables to act on. the goldfields. The Government is concerned not only on account of the loss of life and damage to property but because of the possibility of international complications The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Douglas, has left for Kalgoorlie by aeroplane. At Boulder, when the men assembled for a meeting, pamphlets were issued by Communists. Far from inciting to riot they stressed that the foreigners were their fellow-workers. The outbreak was due only to long-smoulder-ing animosities arising out of economic competition and racial prejudice. Estimates of the damage at Kalgoorlie and Boulder vary from £50,000 to £70,000. The Premier stated that the Government was determined to control tho situation at all costs. The Italian Consul had an interview with the Premier, but nothing is disclosed. The large exodus of foreigners continues from Kalgoorlie and Boulder. Hundreds are homeless, with all their possessions lost in the fires. They are wandering in the bush between Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie fearful of returning.