HELPED THEMSELVES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 117, 20 May 1932, Page 8

HELPED THEMSELVES

HUNTLY UNEMPLOYED VISIT TO GROCERY STORE DEMAND FOR SUSTENANCE OFFER OF WORK REFUSED [ Per Press Association.] HAMILTON, May 19. Stating their families were starving, a crowd of 40 unemployed surged into the Huntly branch of the Farmers’ Trading Co. about mid-day to-day and despite an appeal from the manager, Mr W. H. Northmore, helped themselves to groceries and other foodstuffs on the shelves. No damage was done but it was impossible for the depleted staff to stop the depredations of tho looters. A large crowd stood outside while the men were taking the goods. Poli'ce parties left Hamilton and Auckland for Huntly this afternoon. The men approached tho local representative of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board and were offered two days’ work. This the men refused, demanding sustenance. They subsequently held a meeting and decided to visit tho Farmers’ Trading premises. On entering shop tho men demanded £1 worth of goods each, to be charged up to the Charitable Aid Board. On the manager’s refusal, the men, about 40 in number, in response to their leader’s appeal to help themselves, proceeded to fill sugar sacks and other receptacles with groceries. The men entered and left the shop in a comparatively orderly fashion. The value of the goods taken is estimated at £lO. It was fortunate that the mines in the district were working, otherwise an ugly situation might have developed. The situation at Huntly is being carefully watched by tho poli'ce.

POLICE ARRIVE EIGHT ARRESTS MADE [ Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, May 19. Following the thefts from the Farm, ers’ Trading Co. store at Huntly today Superintendent Till and a force of 12 constables from Auckland arrived at 5 p.m. and immediate steps were taken to arrest some of those who had taken part in the affair. Eight arrests were affected at various dwellings in the town. The arrested men were conveyed to-night to Hamilton and will appear in the Hamilton Co/.rt to-morrow morning, when they will probably bo remanded to appear at Huntly in a week.