POLICE STRIKE GROWS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17188, 3 November 1923, Page 2

POLICE STRIKE GROWS.

COUNTRY FORCE JOINS STRIKERS. HOOLIGANISM FEARED. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Australian find cable As*#ociation. (Received November 3, 10.40 a.m.) MELBOURNE, November 3. Dramatic developments loiiowed the refusal ol the day police to commence ibeir duties. Police Were hurriedly conveyed trom country centres, but en arrival at headquarters joined the strikers. and were discharged. Unruly crowds blocked tho principal thoroughfares at night, with an ever- | p.eseni tendency towards hooliganism A detachment of loyal police were nemmed iu at a stab-depot at the Town Hall by a crowd of 900, but cleared a passage by playing the fire hose on the human mass. A detachment of forty police paraded Swanston Street with batons drawn to keep the crowd in order. The strikers have refused the request of the Victorian Racing Club that a ■ squad of police should be permitted to | pit to Flemington to regulate the traffic. SERIOUS VIEW OF POSITION, j By Telegraph—Pre=s Association—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received November 3.. 12.15 p.m.) MELBOURNE, November 3. The police strikeiEi adopted a resolution m conuemiULOii ol the system of espionage, and iu view of the repeated requests ior its abolition regretted tho I necessity lor the present action. The strikers announced that they were prepared to resume provided that there was no victimisation and fair consideration was given to their grievances. Mr Lawson states that the Ministry was in constant session till a late hour, ft was decided to form a citizens’ corp* to co-operate with the Government and royal members of the force. The Ministry views with the gravest concern tho action of certain men who, while under oath, deliberately refused duty, thus striking at the foundation of ordered government. Such action can not be tolerated by any Government worthy of the name. It is unthinkable that the police should take the law in ibeir own hands. The Ministry is taking proper precautions to safeguard lifo and property, and calls on all citizens to help in the r reser ation of peace. Representatives of the strikers asked ATr Lawson to renew the offer of tha previous night, but the I’r mier refused, adding that it was too late to easily to overlook the action. Tho onlv terms the Ministry will offer are that the men return to their duties unoond’ti'-nally. Tn consequence of Hashes between iovalisbs und t v e rtihlic twelve civilians are in hospital suffering from injuries from batons. It is reported that the tramwaymen may join the strike to-dav.