BATTLE WITH THE POLICE

Taranaki Daily News, 19 July 1932, Page 7

BATTLE WITH THE POLICE

UNEMPLOYED AT CAIRNS

REFUSAL TO LEAVE GROUNDS

CITIZENS AID THE FORCE

HUNDRED SUFFER INJURY

By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Brisbane, July 18.

One hundred men were injured, many seriously, in a pitched battle between the police, aided by citizens, and nomadic uneihployed, led by Communists, on the Cairns showgrounds. The unemployed were armed with knives, staves, flullanullas (wooden clubs) pierced with nails, and other weapons. What were thought to be bombs were thrown at the police and citizen's, but the missiles failed to explode.

The Cairns ambulance took 17 of the most seriously injured combatants to hospital. Some are in a serious condition.

Negotiations had been conducted for two . months to get the unemployed campers to leave the grounds to enable preparations to be made for the annual show. They refused offers of temporary accommodation until after the show, when they could return to the buildings, and they ignored an ultimatum to get out by yesterday.

The first clash occurred when the police, who tried to separate two men of the opposing sides, were attacked and three were felled. The police, aided by townspeople, then pursued their attackers and the battle began. The fighting was most desperate. Weight of. numbers caused the unemployed eventually to flee into the bush, where they were chased by a crowd Wielding batons and poles. Four policemen were admitted to hospital and several of the unemployed suffered broken arms.