HAND-TO-HAND FIGHTING

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8189, 2 August 1912, Page 8

HAND-TO-HAND FIGHTING

TURBULENT TIMES PRODUCE MANY CASUALTIES. . (Received August 1, 11 p.m.) LONDON, August 1. The lightermen are assured of work, but large numbers of dockers and stevedores have lost their posts, the employers refusing to dismiss efficient men employed during the strike. This was the chief cause of the riot*. There was a fierce fight at the Custom house entrance to the Victoria Dock. Unionists on Tuesday morning attended outside the docks, but were not called for, yesterday they entered to compete with the free laborers. The struggle developed into _ a free fight, stones and bludgeons being employed. The unionists chased the free laborers, some of whom took refuge in the New Zealand Shipping Company’s offices. Before they reached shelter, however, several shots*were fired, but nobody was hit. The police dispersed the pursuers. The fight them spread to the whole dock, r ive hundred strikers attacked 200 free laborers unloading grain on board tho steamer City of Colombo. Many men employed on neigh, bouring vessels ceased work and joined in the attack, but the gangways were withdrawn. Two free laborers on a barge were j severely handled. I The strikers then attacked the steamer with stones and bottles. The men on board replied, and the strikers sheltered under the ship’s side, firing several shots. The conflict lasted forty-five minutes. Half a dozen constables were present, but were powerless till reinforcements arrived, when the strikers were driven off. Tho_ captain denies that' anv shots were Hred from the City of Colombo, but says stones badly injured two of those on board, and their comrades becoming terrified abandoned the ship. Strikers later blocked the roadway outside t)i© Custom house, and ignored a police order to make way for traffic. Mounted constables then charged them with batons drawn, and effected a number of arrests. . Six free laborers earlier in the day were attacked by a greatly superior number of strikers at the entrance to the Albert Dock, and one, named Norman, fired, wounding two strikers —one grievously in the throat. Norman stated that the strikers had kicked him. Further riots are threatened.