Today in History

1932 Unemployed riots rock Queen Street

Auckland’s Queen Street 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 Street. Armed with fence palings and stones from a minigolf 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 were injured, including several policemen, and 35 looters were arrested. Government forces were bolstered the next day by 98 Waikato Territorial troops and 1000 ‘special’ constables, but violence flared again that night. As crowds massed in Karangahape Road, scuffles broke out and more windows were smashed; the night ended with another 35 arrests and 50 injuries.