POLICE PROTEST.

Waikato Times, Volume 99, Issue 16654, 20 November 1925, Page 5

POLICE PROTEST.

FREMANTLE RIOTS. HAMSTRUNG BY GOVERNMENT. A SENSATIONAL STATEMENT. (United Press Association.) Received November 20, 11.45 a.m. PERTH, Nov. 20.

The Police Association, in the course of a statement protesting against the Government’s refusal to grant a pensions scheme, makes serious reference to the recent riot at Fremantle, when the strikers attacked the police. The .statement alleges the police were told not to use their revolvers unless they were in imminent danger. Ministerial, sanction had to be obtained before the police could defena their persons, and the result was that a number of police were seriously injured. The statement proceeds: “The Government of the clay should lay down a dictum if the police force is to bo influenced by Governments and Ministers, as it has been during recent years at Fremantle, as to Hie methods which it should use to defend the property and lives of the people. The police should be afforded some guarantee against the ever-present risks of being hamstrung' by the Government.” The statement concludes: “Apparently the policy of the Minister in charge of Police is to arm the police with velvet gloves instead of competent weapons. It is questionable whether the police will rush into the next affray in view of the manner in eh D o strikers were dealt with by the magistrates on this occasion.”