THE HAND STRIKE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 144198, 15 September 1913, Page 7

THE HAND STRIKE.

EXTRAORDINARY STATEMENTS. BY LABOUR LEADERS. DY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH. —COPYRIGHT. (Received Sept. 15, 2.5 p.m.) JOHANNESBURG, Sept. 14. A sensation has been caused by Mr. Poutsma stating that after the rioting on July 5 peace was concluded at the point of the revolver. Mr. Smuts has emphatically denied Mr. Poutsma’s statement. Mr. Bain, secretary of the Federation of Trades Unionists, now states that when tho settlement was signed the Ministers and delegates went on the balcony of the Carlton Hotel. Soldiers had their rifles levelled and if a shot had been fired General Botha, Mr. Smuts and Colonel Trotter (Chief of Police) would not have lived a minute. Matthews, secretary of tho Miners’ Association, states that two members of tho Labour Party covered Botha and Smuts with revolvers, intending to kill them if tho troops below fired a single shot.

A great Labour Party demonstration was hold in tho Market Square today. It was resolved at all costs to re-establish tho right of free speech and public assembly.