Auckland Unemployed Demonstrate

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6833, 14 April 1932, Page 6

Auckland Unemployed Demonstrate

Relief Work Strike a Failure CLASH WITH POLICE IN CITY Per Pr*ss Association. AUCKLAND, Last Night. In spite of the proposal that all relief works should cease this morning as a protest against the relief camps scheme, work proceeded normally on many relief undertakings in the Auckland suburbs. In some cases a full complement of men turned to. while in others every man laid down his tools.

A division of opinion occurred in some of the gangs, with the result, that while a number ceased work, the rest of the gang carried on. Some of tho gangs were depleted only because the men wdio were absent had completed their quota of work for tho week.

Pickets called at the various jobs to determine the attitude of tho men, and in some cases were not favourably received. No disorder occurred, and the men who decided to work did so without hindrance. Police protection was provided for the workers, but their services were not rendered necessary. In some cases the men took a secret ballot among themselves, irrespective of the instructions of the executive, and a.s a result decided to carry on with their work.

By far the largest, demonstration of unemployed since the beginning of the present depression took place in Auckland to-day, when a large number of men marched ■ through" the city to the Town Hall as a protest against the present conditions of relief work, and particularly against the country camps. They presented a set of demands to the Mayor, who briefly addressed the crowd of demonstrators and others, numbering several thousand, and undertook to forward flic demands to the Minister in Charge of Unemployment (Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates).

The demonstrators then continued their march through the streets in a, procession fully a quarter of a milo long. In Shorthand street a collision with the police occurred when some of those near the head of the procession considered that the driver of a motor lorry was trying to reak through their line of march. A handful of constables drew batons and there was a lively melee for a few seconds until a number of the leaders mounted the lorry and, by loudly exhorting their followers, prevailed upon them to resume their march. So far as could be ascertained there were no injuries, except doubtless some bruises. A second meeting was held outside tho Town nail and, after being informed that their demands had been telegraphed to "Wellington and that a reply was being awaited, the men obeyed their leaders’ orders to disperse until this morning, when they _ were directed to demonstrate in their own districts. Later a telegram was received by the Mayor from Mr. Coates to tho effect that tho Government and the Unemployment Board were finalising revised arrangements for relief, and that while reasonable suggestions would be considered, the present claims wore extravagant and could not be entertained.

Basis of Relief Work to be Altered MR. COATES FORECASTS IMPROVEMENT Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Last Night. Replying to Mr. W. E. Barnard in the House of Representatives to-day, Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates said that, anticipating an increase in the unemployment, fund, he had communicated with the board with a view to having the basis of relief work altered. It was his intention to have the basis improved if nossible.

The leader of the Opposition (Mr. H. E. Holland) asked whether arrangements would be made for a full inquiry into the clash between the police and the unemployed at Dunedin last. Monday.

Rt. Hon. G. W. Eorbes replied that a full report had already been received of all the circumstances, and therefore no further inquiry was necessary. Mr. Holland: That is only a one-sided report.

Dunedin Disturbances Over WITH FAILURE OF STRIKE. Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, Last Night. The only demonstration of unemployed to-day was dispersed quietly and effectively this afternoon when a detachment of 30 police marched stiaight into the crowd. In a few minutes the meeting was broken up and the crowd dispersed. The arrest of six of the leaders took place at 5.30 this morning and they appeared in Court before Mr. J. R. Bartholomew and were remanded in custody for a week. With the relief works strike failuro the disturbances appear to be at an end.