WILD RIOT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 264, 8 November 1945, Page 5

WILD RIOT

CLASH IN SYDNEY POLICE, WATERSIDERS, COMMUNISTS Recd. 10.25 p.m. Sydney, No. 7. In a wild riot which lasted nearly half an hour at Woolloomooloo (the Sydney wharf area) to-day, police, waterside workers and men and women members of the Communist Party clashed. Two people were taken to hospital. In a dozen separate brawls fists were used, and in the general melee hoses were turned on the rioters, and bottles, plates and loaves of bread were thrown. The demonstration started, according to the police, when 200 members of the Communist Party marched on to the wharf, where the Stirling Castle, carrying Dutch troops is berthed. The marchers carried banners reading “National Independence for Indonesians” and “No arms for the Dutch.” The demonstrators, who were joined by a number of wharflabourers, booed and hooted the Dutch troops who lined the railings of the ship. Soon botles and plates were being thrown from wharf to snip and vice versa. Then hoses were played on the crowd. The demonstrators were soon drenched, but continued booing. Minor brawls broke out. but the arrival of a police riot squad broke them up.