UNRULY DEMONSTRATORS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22269, 23 May 1934, Page 8

UNRULY DEMONSTRATORS

PALMERSTON NORTH UNEMPLOYED DEPUTATION TO MINISTER RIOT NARROWLY AVERTED tpF.B United Press Association.) PALMERSTON N., May 22. With the object of placing their protests against the sustenance rates for this centre, and the ordering of relief workers into camp at Kaingaroa Plains, before the Minister of Employment (Mr A. Hamilton) and Mr W. Bromley, a member of tho Unemployment Board, who is visiting here, the unemployed arranged a march round the principal streets prior to meeting the two visitors at the station shortly after noon. The procession, organised by the N.U.W.M., included a number of women. It gathered strength as it proceeded, many relief workers ceasing in order to join tho demonstration. The demands presented to the Minister were that the camps be optional, that the cuts be restored, that, failing work, sustenance be given, and that those absent from the relief jobs to-day receive the pay allocation as usual. It was tho largest demonstration of the kind yet seen here. Banners were carried and songs sung. The deputation, although not arranged according to schedule, the Minister having agreed to meet the men later in the afternoon, was accorded an interview in a main street platform, when events took a sensational turn following booing and frequent interruptions. Bequests made by the men were refused by the Minister, the men’s representatives stating that they would continue to organise and demonstrate unless the requests were agreed to. The Minister, who had been delayed for some time and had an engagement to epeak at a luncheon club, then proceeded tvith Mr Bromley to his car, and was surrounded by hundreds of demonstrators. Attempts were made to seize Mr Bromley, but he safely entered tho car, leaving his hat ,in the hands of a demonstrator. As the car left a stone was thrown. The police officials on duty immediately attempted to make an arrest, but the crowd was very hostile and frustrated the effort, a sergeant and four constables being surrounded by tho angry and excited crowd. The end of the demonstration came when, with tho car’s departure, men and women formed their ranks and marched away. -DEPUTATION TO MR FORBES VICTORY FOR THE WORKERS. (Pkb United Press association.) PALMERSTON NORTH, May 22. If the unemployed at Palmerston North made. no headway with Mr Hamilton this morning they certainly won a victory to-night when similar demands were made to the Prime Minister (Mr G. W. Forbes) who attended the sheep breeders’ conference. The demonstration was the largest of its kind seen in the city, and was obviously on the point of breaking at any moment, despite the presence of many police. The workers’ leaders, however, exercised commendable control. With banners flying, the crowd marched to the main entrance of the hotel, where the leaders walked inside to Mr Forbes with the same demands as were put to Mr Hamilton earlier in the day. Mr Forbes was at dinner, and the delay incensed the crowd, which became impatient. Epithets were hurled, and Mr I orbes appeared on the balcony later, and listened to demands on similar lines to those presented to Mr Hamilton. His replies were continually punctuated with boos and hisses, 1 and the climax arrived when the Mayor (Mr Mansford), who was listening on the edge of the crowd, took up the gauntlet. . When Mr Forbes asked what the city had done to assist the unemployed m Palmerston North the Mayor mounted the balcony alongside Mr Forbes and vigorously took up the cudgels on behalf of the city and the workers, with the result that the workers’ leaders and Mr I orbes went into conference, the outcome of which was an assurance by Mr Forbes that immediately on his return to Wellington on Thursday be would call a meeting of Cabinet to discuss the situation at Palmerston North. ~ _ . It was also announced that Mr Forbes was not in favour of compulsory camps, and also that if the City Council was unable to provide capital works he would see that the money the men would receive by way of allocations would still be available for them. He also approved of the men being allowed to make up the work lost to-day.