COMMUNIST RIOT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 8 December 1930, Page 4

COMMUNIST RIOT

WILD SYDNEY SCENES MUCH BROKEN FURNITURE UNION DELEGATES INJURED Riotous scenes marked a meeting of the Labour Council in Sydney last. week. In a debate on the recent'demonstration in the city the Communists took charge of proceedings and, closing the doors of the meeting room, savagely attacked the delegates who had criticised the action of the organisers of the demonstration which resulted in the riots. Many delegates, including tho secretary, Mr J. S. Garden, and tho organiser, Mr R. King, were among those who were injured. Tho police arrived at the height of the disturbance in response to an urgent, summons from the caretaker. For some time,' however, they were unable to gain admission to the, room because the Communists had taken the precaution to barricade all entrances, v.';,-

Tho trouble started when a division was bring taken on a motion submitted by a prominent Communist, Mr M. Ryan, condemning the action of the Ling Government in allowing the police to use batons against the working class.

The debate had been in progress an hour before the division was called for and had been marked by much disorder. Every speaker, including the secretary, Mr J. S. Garden, who attempted to dofend the Government, was howled down by Communists, who packed the public gallery and were supported by a number of Communist Tho motion was defeated on the voices and on a show of hands, the ■ sunnor-ters of IMr Garden being in the majority. ' • COMMUNISTS TAKE COMMAND In response to clamorous demands by the Communists the chairman, Mr J. Ilooke, ordered a division.,' "While the delegates . were moving to'record their voles Communist supporters bro.ko through the railing separating tho public gallery from the floor of the meeting room. Anticipating trouble one delegate attempted to leave, but was told that he had to remain. .WJien ho expostulated he was felled h- a prominent Communist. Ho roso to his feet and punched his assailant. A gonoral fight ensued. Tho occupants of the public

gallery rushed in among I lie delegates. Chairs were thrown and used as weapons, and tables overturned. A section of the delegates broke chairs and barricaded the doors lo prevent anyone telephoning for the police. In (he meantime many delegates had taken shelter on the platform. Mr R. King,, in attempting to stem a rush toward Mr Garden, was foiled by a delegate, who swung a chair at his head. Another delegate, who attempted to go to Mr King's assistance, was pinned to the wall.

Within a few seconds nearly (-.very delegate showed marks of ihe fight. There were inany cut noses and bruised faces end several delegates, had their spectacles smashed

Mr Garden received a blow, but a number of his supporters prevented a serious assault upon him The assistantsecretary. Mr Voirrhl, disappeared from sight whon overwhelmed by a rush of attackers, but his small stature saved him from serious injury. Only the fact

that such n. large crowd,was crammed into a small space proven!cd serious injury to many. The Communists, because of the congestion, got in their own way. and actually punched one another in the melee.

Finally, Mr M. I'. Ryan addressed tho delegates and the doors were allowed to be opened. At this stage an attempt was made to prevent Mr Garden and a group of supporters from leaving, but a counter-attack cleared the way. A largo body of police surged through tho open doors, but the disturbance had by this timo subsided.

SINGING OF THE "RED FLAG"

One diminutive delegate, jumping on lo the platform, announced amid uproar that the motion condemning tho Government had been carried and immediately invited those present to join in the singing of tho "Red Flag." Ono delogato insolently called upon a police officer to remove jus cap during (he singing, but his order was ignored. The council room after the riot wis a scene of disorder, broken chairs and damaged fittings indicating tho fierce-

ness of (ho battle. Ono delegate was scon leaving tho room with his nose badly smashed and covered with blood. Anothor displayed a' loaded stick, which had been used in the fight, and which also had been used against the police in the Macquario Street riots. It was statod subsequently that the motive of the Communists in causing tin disturbance was to punish tho delegates for refusing to take part in revolutionary demonstrations. The injured delegates received attention in various union offices, and tho Communists retired to their hall to have their minor injuries attended to. A number of Labour women, who had been unable to leave the building, suffered from shock. Several Communist women, however, took an active part in tho fight.