THE TRANSPORT CRISIS

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10232, 15 August 1911, Page 1

THE TRANSPORT CRISIS

ANARCHY AT LIVERPOOL.

RIOTING FOR HOURS.

HAND-TO-HAND FIGHTING:

POLICE STATION STORMED.

RIOT ACT READ. United Pre" Association— By Electrio Telegraph —Copyright. LONDON, August 14. Fifty thousand men attended a trade rinion rally organised by the National Transport Workers' Federation at St George's Plateau, Liverpool. The police sought to remove youths from a •dangerous position on a windoweill. This spark started a riot, _ lasting through the afternoon well into the night. -Ugly rushes were made on the police, who were in small force, and were unable to clear Lime Street. They took refuge "behind the iron gates of the railway station. > The mob resisted baton charges with sticks, stones, bottles and bolts. After the hand. to hand fighting they stormed. the station, burst in the gates and demolished the hoarding for weapons.

The railway staff kept the rioters at bay with fire hose until the police were reinforced. The mob attacked the reinforcements with renewed energy. (The Riot Act was read. TWO HUNDRED PERSONS INJURED. BARRICADES AND FIRES IN THE STREETS. GUERILLA WARFARE CONTINUING.

LONDON, August 14. Detachments of Scots Greys and SWarwwkehires appeared. The police charged, and scores of men fell under their truncheons. Bricks and bottles flew in a shower. The injured police were'carried in ambulances to the rear. The street resembled a shambles.

St George's Square was cleared. The rioters re-assembled in the Islington district, where they erected- barricades and lit fires in the streets to impede the mounted police. The rioters from the house-tops rained .bricks and tiles on the police. They also attacked the firemen who were quenching a supposed incendiary fire.

I The hotels in. the strike aTea were closed t and hooligans retaliated by smashing the -windows of shops and •hotels.

A van containing ginger beer was Seized, and the bottles were used as ammunition. -< One hundred and fifty civilians and fortv police were treated at the hospitals after first aid had been rendered „at the station, which was converted ■ into a field Hospital. Broken limbs and tjgly head wounds were among the injuries. Oiie policeman's jaw l was smashed by a bottle. Another will probably tree a leg. Superintendent Bolton was critically injured'. • Guerilla warfare in many thorough- , fares continues.

- THE LONDON STRIKE, MR. BEN" TILLETFS JCBII.ATTON. LONDON. August 14. Mr Ben Tiilett stated , that over 90 - r>er cent of the strikers would return to-dav. He boasted that he. had got at the "British public through their . stomachs. TTie Transport Federation advises members only to work with men holding the Federation ticket. The emplovers state that they will not re fuss io employ uon-federationists.

GLASGOW TRAMWAYMEN. ' ~ LONDON, August 14. Serious disorders at Glasgow followed • mass meeting of tramway strikers. The police and tramway officials were (ittacked, and many were injured. The tracks were obstructed by stones, and cars were derailed and windows smashed. One hundred and fifty cars were damaged.

THE RAILWAYMEN. SEETHING WITH DISCONTENT. GREAT STRIKES THREATENED. LONDON, August 14. The rail way men are seething with unrest. The storm centre at present is at Manchester, where a general railway 6trike is threatened to-night unless the demands are granted. The goodshed employees and carters Df the Great Western Company at Bristol have resolved to strike for higher wages and a revision of hours. The Leeds men next Sunday will consider a general strike. The Great Central Company's engineers demand an increase all round of four shillings weekly, otherwise they rill strike. Five thousand London railwaymen decided to strike on Saturday unless a settlement is effected.