WILD MELEE

Northern Advocate, 19 August 1929, Page 5

WILD MELEE

_ * STRIKERS ASSAIL POLICE

SCENE NEAR TIMBER YARDS.

BATONS VIGOROUSLY PLIED

(Australian Press Association.) (Received 9 a.m.) SYDNEY, August 17,

A fierce clash between police and timber pickets', and strikers gathered round Hudson’s yards at midday resulted in 14 arrests and many damaged heads. The police, were terribly outnumbered. When escorting volunteer workers to trams at knock-off time they had occasion to arrest ,a, couple of pickets, who aimed blows with sharpened sticks at. the police, A general melee followed. Batons were drawn and brandished right and left, the arrested men resisting violently and using shocking language. The position at one time was ex tremely serious for the police, as a crowd of sympathisers swelled the ranks of the strikers to nearly 4000. Eventually the 'arrested men were bundled into a petrol waggon, fighting the whole time. Mr Jock Garden, who was the central figure, tried to quieten his men, who were .singing “Solidarity for Ever” and were a howling, riotous mob.

The police finally prevailed, 'but throe of their number, including an inspector received nasty blows, on their heads which necessitated hospital treatment. •

Fourteen of those arrested will, be charged with either riotous behaviour or assaulting the police. All have been liberated on bail, in sureties of £2O each.

PROTECTION BY LAW,

MASS PICKETING 'SUPPRESSION,

(Australian Press Association:) (Received 11.12 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day,

The State Premier, Mr T. R. Bavin, on' his return from, abroad, ..stated that Cabinet was determined that mass picketing in connection with a strike or any other industrial dispute should be suppressed, and that men going about their lawful occupations should be protected from assaults.

It is understood that if the. present law is found inadequate to • deal with the situation. .amending legislation will be introduced next session.