SYDNEY RIOT

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 101, 28 March 1929, Page 7

SYDNEY RIOT

UNPRECEDENTED SCENES. MADDENED TIMBER WORKERS. EFFIGY OF JUDGE LUKIN BURNED. (Australian Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright). Received March 28, 9.45 a.m. SYDNEY, March 28. The scenes resultant from the demonstration by the timber workers last evening were unprecedented in the history of Australian trade unionism. Following the burning of -the ballot papers, which were placed in a kero-sene-soaked bag and set on fire despite warnings from the Federal authorities and the police, an effigy of Mr Justice Lukin was tied to a tree in Hyde Park and burned. In the riot which followed revolvers were drawn and batons used by a body of police in an effort to quell the maddened rush. Hundreds of men rioters threatened to overwhelm the police, who were fighting desperately. The latter eventually succeeded in getting clear of the angry mob, at the same time arresting seven men, who were charged with riotous behaviour. Several of the police were punched about their faces. It is estimated that 50,000 people witnessed the burning of the effigy. Visitors to Sydney—there are many on account of the Royal Show—witnessed unforgettable sights. MORE BRUTAL ASSAULTS. There were two more brutal assaults on timber workers last night. A loyal worker was set on by nine men at Redfern, thrown to the ground and savagely kicked about the head and body. The worker alleged that he was previously threatened with murder if he continued working. The second attack occurred at Annandale. John Gordon .was kicked unconscious by two masked men who made off in a waiting car. POLICE EVERYWHERE. FIERY SPEECHES DELIVERED. SYDNEY, March 27. The timber workers carried banners inscribed: “Heads bosses wins; tails, workers lose,” and sang a ditty entitled: “We’ll hang old (Judge) Lukin on a sour apple Tree.” The police were in great numbers everywhere and patrol vans were waiting at all corners. The procession turned into Hyde Park, where, amid cheers, a fire was lighted with bundles of papers. The police, however, trampled it out. The police state that ballot papers were actually burned before the procession began its parade—outside the Trades Hall. Fiery speeches were delivered by Mr Garden and. the men’s leaders, but there was no disorder. Twenty-five thousand were present. Riotous scenes followed the parade. A large number of strikers were involved in a clash with the police in George Street, many being injured by police batons. Several arrests, were made. The nightwatchman at a suburban timber yard was brutally assaulted. Mr Garden, secretary of the Tr.ades Hall Council, informed the Commissioner of Police this afternoon that the ballot-burning and effigv-burning episode arranged for to-night would not occur. The commissioner thereupon gave ' permission to conduct a procession of timber men from the Trades Hall to the Domain at eight o’clock, on the understanding that there would be no lawlessness, which the police will not tolerate. Mr Garden gave the necessary assurance. STRIKE MAY SOON BE SETTLED. A conference of union delegates to discuss the timber dispute opened today at Sydney. It is expected that the strike will be settled soon after the holidays. A timber worker was attacked .at Mascot last evening by nine men. The worker states that be was savagely kicked, injured and robbed of papers. The assailants threatened to murder him if they caught him again.