UNEMPLOYED

Hokitika Guardian, 22 June 1938, Page 5

UNEMPLOYED

A POLICE CLASH

HEAVY PROPERTY DAMAGE.

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph— Copyright).

VICTORIA (Vancouver Island),

June 20

• A hundred unemployed who, had been evicted from the post- office at Vancouver arrived at Victoria-.. by ‘ boat, announcing their intention ta “sit down” in the Parliament Buildings. Civic and provincial, police-tlirew a heavy guard round v all entrances ,to ..the. biiildings. The marching men todk ’up•}their quarters in the Relief Workers’ Union Hall instead. Their leader said that 500 more would arrive shortly. '

Defying, the radical Canadian Com' monwealth Federation Party, the Premier (Mr T. IF rPattullo) during a stormy conference in Vancouver said that- the unemployed were not to blame: they were merely the dupes of professional agitators and trouble-mak-ers.

“The Government insists that the men gathered here, frqm other provinces | shall not bo granted assistance,” he said. The rioters, had been offered free ! transportation and expenses to their i eastern homes. Further, lawlessness | would not be ; tolerated and the Govern--1 ment was prepared to quell any disturbance. He refused to call a 'special session'of the Legislature. In the House, of Commons at Ottawa (Mr J. S. Woodsworth), Commonwealth Federation Party leader, described the eviction at Vancouver as a disgraceful attack on. unprepared men by policemen’ who were not provoked- He alleged that the heavy property damage was done by men brazed by.tear gas. Mr E: Lapointe, Minister,for Justice, said he wa’s- amazed thgt Mr Woodsworth defended the lawless seizure of a Federal building and civic art gallery. The only fault of the government was too muqh, leniency.- Every* Tnetlidd had been adopted to. make the -eviction as humane as possible. -The men had resisted . and< del wrecked stores, causing, 30.,000. dollars’, damage. “The law must prevail in this country’ and as long, as: J,have: anything to do w-itlr the Govepiment it will prevail,” he said. f ,\.V' , y.