THE RIOT ACT.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1894, 31 October 1913, Page 8

THE RIOT ACT.

PROCEDURE IN SUCH CASES. Mr. Bailey. who was prominent in speech-making in Post Offico Square, said yesterday afternoon that tho strikers had so far behaved themselves exceptionally well, and lie complimented them on their maintaineenco of law and order. If they continued in this • way thero would he no necessity for tho reading of the Riot Act. The reading of the Act had been responsible for a good deal of bitterness in Waihi and other places. The Mrvspapers, although they were antagonistic to the workers, could not point to a single act which could call for such a drastic step. In explanation of the procedure in respect to tho reading of tho Riot Act, which, it is stated, may bo necessary to read to-day, it may be stated, as matter of interest, that tho Magistrate or officer of justice to whom tho duty is entrusted, approaches tho crowd and orders "Silence!" and then reads tho following proclamation:— "Our Sovereign Lord the King oharges and commands all persons being assembled immediately to disperse, and peaceably to depart to their habitations, or to their lawful business upon the pain of being guilty of nn offence on conviction by which they may bo sentenced to Imprisonment with hard labour, he Act also provides for persons being imprisoned, who create any disturbance during the reading of the proclamation, and also, for all persons who continue to assemble -within an hour of the reading of tho proclamation.