BEER STRIKE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 4414, 6 November 1934, Page 1

BEER STRIKE.

DECLARED OFF WITH FREE DRINKS. BUSINESS PEOPLE MOLESTED BY RIOTERS. A beer strike which -began at Norseman, Western Australia on September 7, was declared off on Sunday, October 21, the licensee s action in increasing 6d pots from 10 to 11 ounces having so reduced the ranks of the strikers that there was no possibility of holding out for 12 ounces. Much ill-feeling existed between rival factions. A later message stated that 40 men were drinking and brawling at the hotel, which is the only one in the town, and that a number were treated in hospital for injuries. The men threatened to take possession of the hotel, which the constable at Norseman closed for 48 hours. When the strike was declared off the meeting decided to request the Government to inquire why the application for a second license was refused recently bp the Licensing Board. It was stated that at peak periods the three bars were packed. The meeting also decided to seek a license for the workers’ club. Intoxicated brawlers took possession of the town early on Monday and fights between strikers and non-strikers occurred. The pavements were strewn with broken beer bottles and glasses and empty beer barrels were kicked through the streets. Men were treated at hospital for cuts and bruises, but some resumed the fighting on returning to the hotel. In order to placate the unruly ones, and after a threat to blow up the hotel, the licensee, Mr F. H. Neville, granted a demand for free drinks. At one stage drunken men smeared with blood, swaggered through the streets, molesting business people. Several of them assaulted a cafe proprietor who refused to give free meals. At night the position appeared ominous. A hospital dance was cancelled. People feared a continuance of the trouble on Tuesday, and having failed to get additional police from Kalgoorlie, telegraphed to the Minister for Police in Perth, and Inspector Crowe arrived at Norseman from Kalgoorlie next morning. The town was reported later in the day to be quiet.