THE UNEMPLOYED IN MELBOURNE.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLII, Issue 92, 18 April 1908, Page 6

THE UNEMPLOYED IN MELBOURNE.

SENSATIONAL SCENE AT THE

TREASURY

A violent demonstration was made at the Treasury yesterday (says the Melbourne Age of the, 7th instant), when the section of the unemployed led by Mr P. M. Koonin endeavoured bo force its way into the Premier's room after the Premier had declined to receive a deputation. Some time ago Mr Bent announced that he would not receive any more unemployed deputations, but that, in arranging ror work to provide employment he would confer with Mr Prendergast, M.L.A.; Mr P. Heagney, Secretary of the Political Labour Council; and Mr S. Barker, Secretary •of the Trades Hall. Shortly before noon yesterday about a dozen men, accompanied by Mr Koonin, arrived at the Premier's office, and asked to see him. On being told that Mr Bent would not receive them they said: "We demand to see him. We are starving. We want work. We will see him!"

Mr Koonin declared, "We will not go away till we see him." "We are starving! We want bread," cried another man, while a third voice broke in, "We won't eat him. If he does not want to see us, we want to see him,"

By this time about 100 men had reached the top of the stairs, where they were blocked by ten constables, and they relieved their feelings by shouting at the top of their voices— "We are starving. We want work:" About a dozen men were in the corridor opposite the Premier's door. Mr Koonin, addressing them, said: "Comrades, sit down." They seated themselves on the benches, but in a few minutes thronged around the Premier's door, which was guarded by an official. Mr Koonin rushed up and down the passage, crying, "Comrades and friends, stand for your rights." After some clamour and aimless bustle, the men suddenly hustled the official away from the outer door, and pulled it open, only. to. find that the inner door had been locked on the inside.

"They have locked us out i That is your Premier!" cried out Mr, Koonin. "They let in fat men, but not starving men, who want to ask-for. work." At this stage the Premier put his head out of the door of his secretary's room, further along the passage, and faced the shouting crowd for a moment. Then, catching sight of Mr Koonin, he exclaimed, "Oh, it is you, is it? Out you go." Mr Koonin; We want to see you, sir! ;

The Premier: I will not see you. I have said before that I will not receive a deputation. Another man rushed forward, tfnd said, "Will you see me? I have a scheme." The Premier: I will not see anyone. (To a policeman, and pointing to Mr Koonin): Take that man in charge. I will sign the charge. The police made no move. i Mr Koonin: We represent starving people! - 'The Premier:' Either you go out within a minute or are given in charge. . Mr Bent then returned to the room and shut the door. j . The police then began to clear the j passage; and Mr Koonin called out < loudly: "Com© on, comrades I This is! the head of your Government! This i is the way he* receives representatives I of starving men and women! Talk about Russia ! This is hell!" ' The men then descended the stairs' lustily hooting the Premier. As soon' as they emerged into the street they ] were joined by others, and Mr Koonin ; immediately proceeded to address tne crowd. He ueclared that the Premier had ordered his arrest, but the police I had taken no notice of him. Who was Mr Bent to give such an order? He (Mr Koonin) did not care for gaol. Be had been there before for suffering humanity. Neither Mr Bent nor any- . one else could crush the spirit which! revolted against oppression. Although j this was called a civilised country it | was worse than Russia. If the men did j not show more spirit they would be i treated as they were in Russia, for the ! Premier would next turn out the mili- j tary and have them shot down like : dogs, because Mr , Bent did not care '• whether they starved or not. If hr i had been arrested it would have been ■ aif ofthe -ent Government. j Shortly afterwards the Premier was ! again hooted as he passed along the > street in a motor-car. ! STATEMENT BY THE PREMIER, j When seen subsequently to the dis- * turbance the Premier asked whether i t,he men had gone quietly or had been i: arrested. When he was informed that • they had gone he remarked: "I told • them that if they did not go they 1 would be arrested, if they went out '■ it is all right. While I went out into ' the passage with the Minister of ! -Lands these men were there dressed : up to the nines. The place seemed to ■ be full. I saw Koonin there. I have i been feeding him up like a fighting ■■ cock. I find that the allowance 11 made him when he had his accident is i still going on. I have ordered it to i be stopped. He is getting too fat. It j wa« 10s a week. I had a conference i tms morning with Messrs" Prendergast '■ Barker and Heagney about the un- i employed. I have provided for more i men than I promised. This morning 1 dU started on the new road past these ! buildings, 50 on the Yarra improve- l P l 6** works, and 100 at Elwood. That ; is 180 altogether. We have arranged i for nearly 1000 men during the past ! •w we®ks > and the more work we pro- I vide the more men come. Messrs lPrendergast, Barker and Heagney are ;' coming on Thursday morning to con- j rer with Mr Swinburne and myself as ' to the best way of providing work." ;