DUTIES DEFINED.

Press, Issue 14828, 20 November 1913, Page 7

DUTIES DEFINED.

TO THE EDITQIt OF "THE PI-ESS.

Sir, —In view of the fact that Justices of the Peace have considered it necessary, for the maintenance of law and order, to call on citizens to assist the police, and as there is, in some quarters, an absolutely erroneous impression as to the part these citizens are called on, as special constables, to play, it is deemed advisable to remove this impresson. They (the special constables) are called upon to assist the regular police in the maintenance of order, by resisting or arresting any person, or persons, committing any illegal act. They aro in no wise employed against strikers as such so long as they do not commit any unlawful act, such as intimidating, or depriving other citizens of their liberty to engage in any lawful occupation. It is their duty to act with absolute impartiality against any person or persons breaking the law, whether employers or employees, and of whatever political creed or colour; and further, to protect the persons and property of all, whether strikers ox not: in short, to see fair play. ' I, and the men who havo volunteered for theso duties, have not the slightest ill-feeling towards tjio strikers, and sympathise with those who are lawabiding in their present difficulties; but at the same time it is my intention, and the intention of the men under mc, to carry out tho above-mentioned duties to the letter at whatever cost to ourselves, and as long as the authorities responsible for the maintenance of order require our services.—Yours, etc., R. A. CHAFFEY, Commanding Special Constables.