THE STRIKE RIOT IN SYDNEY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8375, 1 October 1890, Page 6

THE STRIKE RIOT IN SYDNEY.

FULL PARTICULARS.

DISGRACEFUL CONDUCT OF

UNIONISTS.

RIOTOUS SCENES IN THE CITY.

THE MOB CHARGED BY THE

TROOPERS.

SIR H. PARKES ON THE POSITION. From the Sydney Morning Herald of Saturday, September 20, we extract the following account of the serious strike riot which occurred in that city on the previous day, and which was briefly reported by cablo message in our columns : —

Probably no proceeding (remarks our contemporary) on the part of men associated with the Trades Hall will do more to raise a dividing lino between trades | unionism and the public sympathy, under ( tho shelter of which that unionism has j grown and flourished, than the disgraceful j and cowardly attacks committed yesterday upon those engaged in the removal of wool from the Darling harbour railway station to Circular Quay. Early in tho week, it will be remembered, over 700 men who earn their living as drivers of trolleys and waggons for different firms of carriers, discontinued work, each man knowing full well that a refusal to comply with tho mandate would be speedily followed, not by moral suasion, but by physical violence. It was this knowledge and fear that induced non-union labourers, who, wishful to earn a living, had stepped forward to do the work which the trolley men and draymen had left, to speedily throw up their engagements at the bidding of the union pickets and enrol themselves at tho Trades Hall. Of men willing—aye, and eager —to work there were hundreds, but their hands were tied by the terrorism of what has frequently, during the last few days, been termed "a brutal minority." Thus, Mr. J. M'Mahon, who holds a contract from the Railway Commissioners for the removal of wool from Darling Harbour to Circular Quay, found himself in rather an awkward predicament. The situation was discussed by several of the wool-growers and gentlemen connected with the wool stores, when it was generally agreed that if it were shown that the wool could be carried on to the Quay, the hostility of the unionists notwithstanding, quite as many drivers as were required would offer themselves, and Mr. M'Mahon would thus be enabled to carry on his work as hitherto. Immediately this became known numbers of gentleman occupying clerical positions in the different wool stores, and nearly all of whom had been sworn in as special constables, volunteered their services, and it was then arranged that they should meet at the Darling Harbour Kailway Station at half past nine yesterday morning, and assist in loading the trolleys and driving them to Circular Quay. The news of this arrangement was soon noised abroad, and led to the assembling of between 2000 and 3000 men, mostly unionists, in the near vicinity of the Darling Harbour Station soon after breakfast yesterday. A Strong detachment of police, with Inspector Mackay, Inspector Potter, and Subinspector Lawless, was on duty in the station yards ; but they had for a time little or nothing to flo, since the unionists preferred keeping outside the station gates, and maintained a strict and watchful silence. Ten trolleys, each drawn by two horses, were speedily loaded with upwards of 150 bales of wool, and were then drawn up in line, tho intention being to leave the station in procession rather than separately. The Hon. W. Halliday, M.L.C., Mr. Vincent howling, Mr. Harry Graves, Mr. George Maiden, Mr. Wright (Wright, Hcaton, and Co.), Mr. Soilings (Brunker and Wolfe), and other gentlemen took their seats on the trolleys as drivers, having with them a number of younger gentlemen, who had pluckily volunteered their company and assistance. The procession then moved towards tho station gate, escorted by 12 mounted troopers, under Inspector Latimer, a strong police force, and a number of special constables. The moment the first trolly cleared the gate the dense crowd surged forward, but the mounted troopers soon hud a path clear, and the excited mob in battled rage relieved their passions in deafening yeils, hoots, and groans. As trolley after trolley cleared the gates the uproar increased, but the drivers and their comrades showed the greatest calmness, Mr. George Maiden and two or three others acknowledging the reception by removing their hats and waving them courteously. Now and again one of the more daring of the mob would dart forward, and loosing tho break gear, bring a trolley to a standstill ; but this brought several additional special constables to the front, who walked alongside the brakes, while others led the horses. For a brief while the unionists contented themselves with frantic yelling, cursing, and threats of vengeance ; but soon stones commenced to fly about freely. As the procession wended its way into (ieorgestreet, via tho Haymarket, a section of the mob repeatedly got a little way a-head by taking a shortcut, and upon die convoy passing the spot where these unionists had assembled, showers of blue metal whizzed about. Unfortunately, the stones reached their mark only too often. Mr. Alister Lamb, of Hunter's Hill, who was driving one of the waggons, had his head severely cut in two or three places, causing blood to flow freely. Mr. George Maiden and Mr. Armstrong (of Andrew Rowan and Co.) who occupied seats on the same trolley, also received severe scalp wounds, and many others received blows on either head or body. Instead of intimidating the volunteers, these wanton ann cowardly attacks provoked an evident spirit of determination to go through with the work, and gave evidence of the value of the help of the special constables, who stuck manfully to their posts, and besides contributing materially to the success of the undertaking, aided the regular police in effecting numerous arrests. Trooper Cardell, while clearing the mob away from a couple ot constables who had made a capture, received a piece of blue metal on the back of the causing him to reel in the saddle, and almost unhorsing him. Unfortunately his assailant could not be detected. A? the procession proceeded along Georgestreet towards the Town-hall, tho Htonethrowing, with an occasional exception, was discontinued, probably because few missiles could be found lying about tho wooden " blocked" road. The hooting and groaning and cursing, however, were continued, and as the number of persons thronging the street was ever on the increase, the excitement seemed to grow. On turning from George-street into MarketStreet the stone-throwing was renewed, and a couple of additional arrests made. A largo piece of metal, weighing a couple of pounds, was hurled at one of the constables in charge of a prisoner, but it missed its intended mark, and hit one of the crowd on the head, knocking che man .senseless, and causing blood to spurt forth. Turning from "Market-street into Pitt-street, the procession, as it passed the warehouses and different busineHs establishments, was cheered to the echo, but these encouraging demonstrations were in each instance responded to by a renewed outburst of frantic yelling. Tho sight was certainly one to which tho streets of Sydney are fortunately strange. Every wind w frame filled with eager faces, the footwalks lined with thousands of spectators : here and there, at office and at warehouse, groups of employes cheering excitedly as the train of wool carts driven by gentlemen of standing and position, and guarded by mounted troopers and others passed by, at every corner gentlemen of wealth and influence waving hats and canes, and rising above all the uproar of some 2000 or 3000 ballled men yelling and shouting a.s though mad. At the Exchange, as the procession passed, every window and vantage point was tenanted by small crowds of excited men, who cheered and applauded enthusiastically. When tho quay was reached upwards of 10,000 persons were gathered together, composed of all classes of the community. A space in front of Messrs. Talbot and Co.'s store was speedily cleared, there being a strong body of police present, and waggon after waggon, as it drove up, was received with loud cheers, unloaded, and the wool bales rolled into the store. But before the work was completed, disturbances again rose, and missiles commenced to fly about. Trooper Sparks had his noee cut and his right cheek laid open with a piece of stone, and several others had lesser injuries. Inspector-General Fos-

bery, seeing that serious measures were necessary, had tho mounted troopers, 36 in all, about 60 of the police, and nearly 200 special constables drawn up in line, and the Riot Act read by Mr. Nugent W. Brown. Immediately this function had been discharged, tho order was given to troopers and police to clear tho Quay. The move was a very effective one. The troopers charged in line, and the people went flying out of reach of tho horses, tumbling one over the other in their haste, so that within a few minutes the crowd, estimated to number quite 10,000, was cleared off the Quay, and made no effort to return. The work of unloading the trolleys was quietly completed, and then, each bearing a dozen or so special constables, they were driven back to Darling Harbour, accompanied by Captain Fisher. As they passed along Pitt street and George-street Uttle else but cheering was heard, but on nearing the Trades Hall and on entering tho railway station yards hooting and groaning were renewed by a small body of youthful larrikins, but no actual physical violence was offered. The specials, when drawn up in the station yards, urged that a second load of wool should be taken down to the Quay : but Mr. George Maiden pointed out that they had successfully demonstrated what they could do, and that Mr. iMcMuhon was confident of being able to resume work on Monday with u regular staff. Mr. Maiden warmly complimented the specials, of whom there were about 200 in the yard, on the manner in which they had come forward and the good service they had renJered, anil their willingness to render still further assistance. In rosponso to cheers Mr. McMahon said that while he had a drop of blood in him he was game to show fight, especially when backed up by assistance such as do had received that morning, and for which he thanked them very much. After the riot a deputation from the Chamber of Commerce waited upon the Hon. Mr. McMillan at the Treasury to urge the Government, in view of tho latest phases of the strike, to take action to put down lawless proceedings. One of the speakers said the free labourers had as much right to do ;\s they ehose as the men on strike had. Ho did not deny that the men hud a right not to work, bat it was coming to a pretty pass if the Trades Hall was going to govern the country. That was really the question. Was the Government supreme, or the Trades Hail ? It appeared, during the last day or two, that the Trades Hall had thought they had tho right to dictate what was to be done. He would make it penal to meet in crowds. When f>o or 100 men crowded round a dray the draymen were powerless. Were they in a free country or in a country subject to the dictation of a labour clique? Mr. McMillan, in reply, said tho strike had on evolving from bad to worse. The Government had been fully prepared for all extreme emergencies, and while not interfering in any way had been anxiously waiting the slightest approach to serious disturbance. He now recognised the fact that they hail arrived at a very different stage of development of the crisis. A semirevolutionary Government was being attempted to be set up in the midst of a lawabiding people, and a conclave of men was sitting directing operations throughout the country, and attempting to take upon their shoulders the functions of Government. This state of things could not remain without absolute anarchy and disorder ensuing. Speaking tor tho whole Government he would say they would now take such steps to secure the liberty of subjects us would be absolutely successful. The position couM not be more grave than at. present, and the Government would go t,i any extreme to preserve order, and would appeal for support to the whole community. The Government would at once deal with the matter. Ho trusted that the prompt and decisive action used by the authorities this morning would have a deterrent effect, and that a reaction would set in. In the course of an interview with Sir H. Parkos, the Premier, the following conversation took plice : — In view of the occurrence this morning, are more repressive measures to bo taken by the Government'.' Sir Henry Parkes : I want to know what is meant by more repressive measures ?

Well, Sir Henry, it has been asserted frequently, to-day, that a speedy way toward.* a settlement of this unfortunate ditliculty would bo to put the Labour Dofence Committee under arrest.

Sir Henry Parkes : In reply to that phase of the question, I have little doubt that the member-- of the Labour Defence Committee could be prosecuted for conspiracy ; but. the Government must consider whether it would be expedient or advisable to take such a course, and whether such action of itself would not lead to other and perhaps greater evil*. The Government of the country must consider every possible phase of this difficulty, and we have to consider it free from passion and free from any influence, and free from self-interest. The Government must regard the position in the interests of the men on strike, as well as for the persons by whom they were empoyed. 1 think, speaking personally, the strikers are greatly in the wrong, and that they are doing threat damage to their own cause, as well as to society ; still, notwithstanding this the Government is bound to remember that the men'on strike form part of the population we have to govern. Sir Henry, have any further orders been given to the police authorities in view of further disorder '! Sir Henry Parkea : In this particular I am responsible, and I cannot admit that any other Minister of the Crown is empowered to speak for the Government. In this matter, as I have already said, the whole question has been seriously and closely considered from every standpoint of observation, with the desire to foresee any casualty that may arise, and such orders have been given as are considered to bo sufficient for the present, and which I have no doubt will bo sufficient for the maintenance of law and order. We have not only to be wisely bold, but it is the Government's duty to avoid every appearance of rashness. It is. impossible for me to state to you, or to any deputation, what the nature of the orders is ; but you may rest assured the Government will maintain law., preserve order, and punish turbulence wherever and whenever there is occasion for such action.

Now, Sir Henry, will you state your views on the difficulty. Sir Henry Parkes : Yes; I should like those persona who talk so glibly about tho course the Government has pursued and is pursuing, persons who have no responsibility themselves for preserving the liberty of the subject and the public, to sit down and study a map of Sydney and its .suburbs, and to sec how they would follow to their homes say ten or a dozen nonunion workmen who leave work separately and go perhaps ten different ways, and who imprudently place themselves in positions where they aro likely to bo molested. The protection of the liberty of the subject means linn and necessary force to compel an observance of the law, but I it daes not mean that a policeman should j be at tho right hand of every individual citizen to see him safely homo. It further means that the police shall arrest any offender, if not at the moment the offence is committed, asspeedily as powiblcaf forwards, I and every man with common senso knows j that this cannot always at once bo doue. J even in tne time of order and peace, still less at an unprecedented timo like tho ! present, which has come upon us so suddenly. Then, over and over above all that the Government cannot defend the interests of any one class to the neglect of another, whether employers or workmen, but it must sacredly uphold the laws oi the country, defend its institutions, and society generally, and i" doing so the duty and obligation tlr:«n upon it must bo porformed, so far as possible, on the lines of non-partisanship. On reading the above report of the interview Mr. McMillan forwarded ib to tho Premier with a request that he should say whether or no the published statement of opinions attributed to him on the position was correct. To this Sir Henry replied that he did not feel that he was called upon to categorically substantiate or deny what ! had appeared in the public press. Shortly j afterwards the Premier received Mr. Me- ! Millan's resignation. Subsequently, how- ! ever, a friendly understanding was estabj lis'ied between them, and Sir Henry Parkes I having admitted that he had spoken and acted somewhat imprudently Air. McMillan withdrew his resignation.