SOUTH AFRICAN AFFAIRS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18077, 27 October 1920, Page 5

SOUTH AFRICAN AFFAIRS

RIOTOI#; NATIVES. DESPERATE FIGHT WITH'POLICE. Prese Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. ' CAPETOWN, October 24. Tho rioting at Port Elizabeth was the climax to the propaganda of the native organisation, which has been proceeding for some weeks. It started with a demand for 10s 6d as the daily wage for native males and 7s 6d for females. Responsible native opinion is opposed to the ■propaganda- methods. The firing upon the rioters commenced without command by men hemmed in the police station by a howling mob. as they believed the position to be desperate. After a desperate figlit with the crowd at the polico station at Port Elizabeth the natives were driven from the city. They then held meetings at their locations, and subsequently attacked the power station. The polico fired over their heads, but as this failed to stop them, they then fired into the crowd of natives, killing one and wounding seven. An attempt was 'made to set fire to a petrol store containing '70.C00 cases, but it failed. The rioters cut the ' telegraph and telephone wires. Police and other reinforcements arrived from Graliamstfawn and elsewhere. The natives -are holding a meeting today, but there have been no attempts at violence. Tho total casualties were 24 k'illed and 41 wounded, including many women. One European male was killed and two females wounded.—Renter.