LANG IS CHEERED WHEN HOUSE OPENS

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19237, 26 November 1930, Page 1

LANG IS CHEERED WHEN HOUSE OPENS

COMMUNISTS COMMENCE RIOTING IN SYDNEY. (United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) SYDNEY, November 25. The formal opening of the State Parliament was the occasion of unprecedented enthusiasm. There were crowded galleries, the occupants of which rose and cheered the Premier, Mr J. T. Lang, the police having to restore order and decorum. The new members were sworn in, and Mr F. M. Burk was elected Speaker. The House adjourned until to-morrow for the official opening by the 6overnor. The day was marked by rioting in the streets, where there were ugly encounters between Communists and militant unionists and a large force of police. Twelve arrests were made and three persons were injured, including a constable. Scene of Pandemonium. Carrying red flags and banners a procession of two hundred men and women attempted to march on Parliament House. The police stopped them, seized their banners and tore them from the sticks. A scene resembling pandemonium followed. Sticks crashed on the heads of the police to the accompaniment of insults and threats. The police were forced to draw their batons. The mob was scattered and the ringleaders were bundled into a patrol waggon. Several women were among those arrested. A small deputation of unemployed afterwards waited on the Premier and urged him to provide work for the thousands on the verge of starvation.