Index

Some events around Peace Day 19 July 1919, as reported in the Melbourne press over one week

ASSOCIATION REPRESENTATIVES EXPRESS REGRET

Early yesterday morning the Federal President of the Returned Soldiers’ and Sailors’ League, and members of the Victorian Executive, waited on the Premier and expressed regret for what had occurred on the previous day, and gave Mr. Lawson the assurance that the League would not countenance the riotous conduct that had been in evidence on Monday.

Complaint against Police Official
RETURNED SOLDIERS FRAME CHARGES

A deputation from the Returned Soldiers’ Association waited on Sir George Steward, Chief Commissioner of Police, yesterday afternoon and presented charges, in writing, against Senior Constable Scanlon. Sir George Steward stated that the charges would be inquired into immediately.

SENIOR CONSTABLE SCANLON’S POSITION

Accusations made concerning the conduct of Senior Constable Scanlon were informally discussed at the Russell-street Barracks yesterday by the sub-officer’s comrades, who generally agreed that he had done no more than the circumstances warranted in his endeavours to quell the street disturbances on Saturday night.

Sir George Steward, Chief Commissioner, in answer to inquiries made by the sub-officer’s comrades, stated that Senior Constable Scanlon had not been suspended, but had been relieved from city duty meanwhile for obvious reasons and in his own interests.

RIOTERS IN COURT.
NUMBER OF OFFENDERS PUNISHED
Arising out of the riot at the State Treasury on Monday, several men were charged on various counts at the City Court yesterday.

UNLAWFUL ASSEMBLIES.
Widening the Law

The announcement by the Premier in his appeal to all loyal citizens, asking them to stand by the Government for the maintenance of order, contained a statement that the Ministry had taken steps to prevent a recurrence of the wild scenes at the public offices...

Replying to questions, Mr. Lawson said that consideration was being given by the Ministry to a suggestion that the Act should be further widened. It is possible that the Act will be passed today.

Age Thursday 24 July 1919
A BETTER FEELING ABROAD. Support the Law

Yesterday the city was quiet. At no time during the day or night was there a repetition of the disgraceful, riotous scenes which followed the peace celebrations on Saturday.

RETURNING TROOPS. Forthcoming Disembarkations

Aussie Again: The Port Melbourne Pier as we pull up.
View of the pier from the deck of the Chemnitz,
carrying returning troops from World War l, 1919.
State Library of Victoria

Four transports will disembark large contingents of returning Victorians on Friday and Saturday.

Vessels due on Friday are the Essex, which has on board over 500 members of the Fourth Light Horse Regiment, returning home after years of arduous service in Palestine; the Bremen, with 525 men and soldiers’ wives and children, and the Lucie Woerman, bringing wives and children of soldiers and some munitions workers.

The Port Darwin is expected to reach Port Melbourne on Saturday with 525 men from England.

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