Unemployed riots rock Queen St

Auckland’s Queen St riot of 14 April was by far the most destructive of the disturbances that rocked the four main centres in the ‘angry autumn’ of 1932.

Post and Telegraph Association members marching to a Town Hall meeting were joined by a large crowd of relief workers, swelling numbers to perhaps 15,000. Angry at being turned away from the overflowing hall, some demonstrators scuffled with the police barring the entrance. When a leader of the unemployed, Jim Edwards, rose to speak – apparently to urge calm – he was struck down by a policeman. The crowd erupted and surged down Queen St. Armed with fence palings and stones taken from a mini-golf course in Civic Square, they smashed hundreds of shop windows and looted jewellery, liquor, clothing and tobacco. 

Reinforced by armed sailors and volunteers, the police regained control of the central city several hours later. Hundreds of people were injured, including several policemen, and 35 looters were arrested. Government forces were bolstered the next day by 98 Waikato Territorial Army troops and 1000 volunteer (‘special’) police constables, but violence flared again that night. As crowds massed in Karangahape Rd, scuffles broke out and more windows were smashed. By the end of the night there had been another 50 injuries and 35 arrests.

Image: scene from 1932 Queen Street Riot (Te Ara)