LUMPERS TAKE SERIOUS STEPS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXVI, Issue 7563, 6 May 1919, Page 5

LUMPERS TAKE SERIOUS STEPS.

FRKMANTLE, May 5

The Government, as the result of the lumpers' strike, aunouncect that it had taken possession of the wharves, and would work shipping and protect nationalist workers. Following this decision barriers were' erected on the wharves to protect the workers. When volunteers were being driven to work in motors, a largo body of strikers met them with a volley of stonesj. The police arrived with bayonets, but were powerless. Another body of volunteers in a launch then at-ft-acted the strikers' attention, and boulders and stone's were showered down from a bridge. Although tne launch was badiy damaged, no one was injured. When the wharf was reached, the strikers from the bridge charged a large body of mounted and foot police, and a scene of wild confusion-ensued. After many on both sides had been injured, the strikers were forced back. Alttougli repulsed, the strikers again came to the assault, and the situation of the police become so desperate that the Riot Act was read and cartridges handed out to the police. * By this time the crowd had reached enormous dimensions, bellmen having been sent to the outlying districts by the strikers for reinforcements. After several shots had been nred, and the police had again charged, during w^.eh a returned soldier received a bayonet wound in the leg, the Government agreed to withdraw the volunteers t.om the wharves.

After the melee, a meeting of returned soldiers carried a resolution announcing their intention to defend their refits against the tyranny of the pre-S'-nt Government, and to avenge tfte Hood ,of their wounded comrade.

Later in the day a body of 4000 Uniomsfs wrecked the employment bureau on the wharf.

The total casualties during the riot VfTQ 33, 26 being police.