BATONS OUT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21242, 24 January 1931, Page 16

BATONS OUT.

RIOTS IN ADELAIDE. INFLUENCE OF COMMUNISTS. RAGE OF UNEMPLOYED. (From Our Own Correspondent.) SYDNEY, January 15. It seems clear that the unemployed riot which stirred Adelaide at the end of last week was instigated by the Communists, who, in South Australia at least, seemed to have determined on a campaign against law and order. The crossed hammer and sickle, the symbol of the Russian Soviet, was borne on the flag at the head of the procession which preceded i the outbreak, and placards bore other Communistic devices. The leaflets distributed by the Communists said that the demands upon the Government would before a restoration of the beef rations, and that there should 'be.no work in return for rations. The main fight with the police did not last more .than ten minutes, and it is just as well it was brief, for following it 16 injured people were treated in hospital. Iron bars, sticks, and other weapons were used by those who took part in the riot, and the police retaliated with, baton charges. Men fell to the ground with blood streaming from wounds in the head. Great anxiety existed in the city and it is feared that the end has not been seen of the violence. The Premier (Mr Hill) has stated very definitely that law and order will be upheld at all costs, and despite threats from the Trades Council the Government refused point blank to release those who were arrested on charges arising-from the riots. Actually the fire of rage had been smouldering for some weeks, the unemployed being very dissatisfied with the measures taken by the, Government for their relief. Actually the Government has been as liberal as the circumstances would permit. The ashes were fanned to flame oyer a matter of meat rations. It had been the custom to permit of the distribution of meat, but when the unemployed complained that too much bone accompanied the beef, beef was cut out This was too much for the unemployed, and they went through the streets of the city shouting“ We want beef.” Hundreds joined up in a procession to protest to-the Government about the withdrawal of beef.

' When the procession reached the House of Parliament there were 2000 taking part in it, and they counted out the politicians time and again. The authorities at once realised that trouble, was brewing, so they guarded all the doors of the Government offices, paying particular attention to the office of the Premier. Had they succeeded in entering the office of the Premier they would have had to face more, perhaps, than they bargained for. As soon as news of the riot was broadcast the wife of the Premier (Mrs Hill) rushed to the office and sat there until the danger had passed. Asked why she had done so she replied: “To see that they did not hit him. He has only one life and I have only one husband.” When the unemployed reached the outside of the Treasury the leaders were spoken to by the, officer in charge of the police, and very soon a heated argument ensued. A youth carrying a red, flag and an iron bar became aggressive. Suddenly blows were struck, and immediately troopers and constables, with drawn batons, were battling with the crowd. Several men, and one or two women, dropped to the ground injured, and some were taken to hospital. The Premier, who witnessed from his office the scene outside, said there was proof that the Communists were at the bottom of the outbreak. Men carrying red flags were at the head of the procession, and many leaflets had previously been distributed urging men to join in the demonstration, and containing the words: “Down with the Hill Government.’' The Premier said that the police did not consult him before they acted in accordance with their instructions _lo maintain order. Police were hit with sticks and stones long before there was any baton attack. Inspector MGrath, in his official report, said that the demonstrators started the riot with their own acts. From the injuries received by the constables it was evident that mean advantages had been taken of them, as most of them were struck from behind and were suffering from injuries at the back of the head. Praise for the police was given by Mr G. W. Halcombe. S. M., after he had dealt with a number of, unemployed who appeared before him on many charges. He said that the police were a thin partition between law and order on the one hand and lawlessness on the other. Remove the police and there would be anarchy. These remarks were prompted by the evidence, which credited one of the men with saying: “ I have been out of the revolutionary movement for the past three years. I was thrown out of ray home because I was a Red. After having seen defenceless men and women battered to-day by the police, who arc hired assasins of the master class, I have returned to the movement. The police are supposed to be our protectors, but they are dangerous criminals.”