PRISON FOR STRIKERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20251, 10 May 1929, Page 11

PRISON FOR STRIKERS.

TIMBER MILL FRACAS.

BRUTALITY OF TACTICS.

MAGISTRATE'S STERN REBUKE.

(Received May 9. 9.15 p.in.) SYDNEY, May 9. , Five strikers who were concerned in the attack upon Mr. W. H. Simpson, managing director of Messrs. Bell and Frazer, timbor merchants, of Rozello, and some volunteer workers, at Leichhardfc on May 2, were to-day sentenced to six months' imprisonment. Tiio magistrate, Mr. J. W. M. Laidlaw, commented strongly on tho brutality of the strikers' tactics. Ho said he must make examples of tho accused. One of tho men collapsed when ho heard the sentence. Tho wives of tho accused sobbed hysterically outsido tho Court.

A mob of about 50 men attacked three motor-cars in which Mr. Simpson, his two sons and some volunteer workers were proceeding to (he mills at Rozello. Bricks and other missiles were thrown at tho occupants. Mr. Simpson, sen., who was in tho leading car, drew a revolver and fired two shots. The uproar this caused brought the Balinaiu police to tho spot at a run. The attackers ran away, but tho police arrested three of them. Tho owner-driver-* of the third car, who was tho only other armed man in the party, was stunned by a brick which was thrown through the wind-screen of his car before ho could draw bis revolver. Mr. Simpson's sons, who wero driving tho first and second cars, escaped injury. None of tho volunteer workers was hurt. APPEAL TO ME. BEIJCE. PLIGHT OF UNEMPLOYED. SUSTENANCE FOR THEIR FAMILIES (Received May 9, 11.5 p.m.) MELBOURNE, May f). A deputation from tho timber workers' strike executive to-day waited on tho Primo Minister, Mr. Bruce, and asked for sustenance for tho dependants of tho men who aro unemployed through the dispute. Tho Prime Minister emphatically declined to allow Jock Garden, secretary of tho Sydney Trades and Labour Council, to enter tho building. Ho promised the deputation ho would see if tho parties to the dispute could again bo brought together, but would give no undertaking iti reference to sustenance.