DEMANDS BY UNEMPLOYED

Taranaki Daily News, 14 April 1932, Page 7

DEMANDS BY UNEMPLOYED

AUCKLAND DEMONSTRATION procession through the city. PARTIAL STRIKE OF RELIEF MEN. THE GANGS’ OPINIONS DIVIDED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. By far the largest demonstration of .unemployed since the beginning of the depression took place in Auckland today, when a large number of men marched through the city to the Town Hall as a protest against the -present conditions of relief work, and particularly against country camps. They presented a set of demands to tbe Mayor, who briefly addressed the crowd of demonstrators and others numbering several thousands, and undertook to forward the demands to the Minister in charge of unemployment, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates. The demonstrators then continued their march through the streets in a procession fully a quarter of a mile long. In Shortland Street a clash with the police occurred when some of those near the head of the procession considered that the driver of a motor-lorry was trying to break through the line of the march. A handful of constables drew their batons and there was a lively melee for a few seconds until a number of the leaders mounted on the lorry and by loudly exhorting their followers prevailed upon them to resume the march. So far as could be ascertained there were no injuries, except doubtless some bruises.

A second meeting was held outside the Town Hall, and after being informed that their demands had been telegraphed to Wellington and that a reply was being awaited the men obeyed their leaders’ orders to disperse until to-morrow morning, when they were directed to demonstrate in their own districts.

Later a telegram was received by the Mayor from Mr. Coates to the effect that the Government and the Unemployment Board were completing revised arrangements for relief, and that while reasonable suggestions would be considered the present claims were extravagant and could not be entertained. In spite of the proposal that all relief works should cease this morning as a protest against the relief camps scheme, work proceeded normally on many relief undertakings in Auckland suburbs. In some cases the full complement of men turned to, while in others every man laid down his tools. A division of opinion occurred in some of the gangs, with the result that while a number ceased woTk the rest of the gang carried on. Some gangs were depleted only because the men absent had completed their quota of work for the week. Pickets called at the various works to determine the attitude of the men, and in some cases were not favourably received. No disorder* occurred, and the men who decided to work did so without hindrance. Police protection was provided for the workers, but their services were not necessary. In some cases the men took a secret ballot among themselves, irrespective of the instructions of the executive, and as a result decided to carry on with their work. / ==========