BAVIN BACK TO HARNESS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 745, 19 August 1929, Page 9

BAVIN BACK TO HARNESS

DETERMINED TO STOP MASS PICKETING PREMIER’S HEAVY TASK Reed. 10.5 a.m. SYDNEY, Today. The Premier, Mr. T. R. Bavin, who returned yesterday from his trip abroad, stated that the Cabinet was determined that mass picketing in connection with a strike or any other industrial dispute should be suppressed, and that men going about their lawful occupations should be protected from assaults.

It is understood that if the present law is found to he inadequate to deal with the situation, amending legislation will be introduced during the next session.

When Mr. Bavin was greeted at the wharf by his Cabinet colleagues, he was told that lie would need all his strength to deal with the industrial chaos in New South Wales. He replied that tlie remark appeared to be only too true. Nevertheless he faced the situation with confidence and optimism. He declared that the credit of the Commonwealth abroad was being ruined by industrial troubles. The members of the Cabinet wore pleased to note Mr. Bavin’s improved health.

FIERCE MIDDAY CLASH

TIMBER WORKERS’ BATTLE WITH POLICE 14 MEN ARRESTED SYDNEY, Sunday. A fierce clash occurred at midday yesterday between tjie police and timber workers’ pickets and strikers outside Hudson’s yards at Glebe, Sydney. As a result 14 men were arrested and many were injured. The police were largely out-num-bered. They were escorting volunteer workers to the trams after work when they had occasion to arrest two pickets who had aimed blows with sharpened sticks at policemen. A general melee ensued. Batons were drawn by the police and brandished right and left. The two arrested men resisted violently and used shocking language. The position at one time was extremely serious for the police as a crowd of sympathisers swelled the ranks of the strikers to nearly 4,000. Eventually the two men first arrested were bundled into a patrol wagon, fighting the whole time. Jock Garden, secretary of the Sydney Trades Hall Council, tried to quieten his men, who were singing “Solidarity for Ever” and were a howling, riotous mob. Finally, the police prevailed, hut three of their number, including an inspector, received nasty blows on their heads, which necessitated treatment in hospital. The 14 men who were arrested will be charged either with riotous behaviour or with assaulting the police. All have been liberated on bail of £2O each.