SERIOUS RIOTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22247, 23 October 1935, Page 13

SERIOUS RIOTS

WEST INDIES ISLE NEGROES LOOT SHOPS THREE KILLED BY POLICE ALL BUSINESS SUSPENDED By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received October 22, 5.5 p.m.) VANCOUVER, Oct. 21 A message from Kingstown, St. Vincent Island, British West Indies, states that three rioters were shot dead and several were wounded this evening when a crowd of angry labourers, armed with clubs and stones, stormed business houses in the town. Bent on robbery and destruction, hundred of negroes surged through the streets of the capital after threatening disorders all day. A number of stores were looted and cars owned by the Administrator and other Government officials were wrecked before the armed guard dispersed the rioters. There is no assurance that the trouble is over and guards have been placed on duty for the night. All business is suspended. In the afternoon an unruly mob surrounded the Administrator outside the Courthouse, demanding to be heard on the subject of workmen's problems. Quiet was restored after the Administrator had promised to receive representatives of the men on the questions of minimum wages, workmen's compensation and Customs duties. Meanwhile the guard around the building had been doubled, and the crowd broke up without violence. Before many hours, htiwever, the crowd gathered again, its ranks being swelled by labourers from the outlying plantations. One or two minor frontstreet incidents were enough to start the whole crowd rioting. The largest business houses and shops were first attacked, and much food, clothing and other stock was carried off. As the rioters went from place to place they made side excursions in search of official cars, with the object of smashing them. Not until the rioters' ranks were broken by the police fire did the disorders cease.