UPHOLDING THE LAW.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1895, 1 November 1913, Page 4

UPHOLDING THE LAW.

After the rioting and disorder of Thursday, yesterday was comparatively a day of peace. The strikers were, orderly enough about the City and at time of writing no serious trouble had occurred. Unfortunate-, ly it would be unsafe to assume from this that tho watersiders havo decided to abandon violent methods. Early last evening, for instance, a large body of strikers set out in the direction of the Hutt Road, the purpose in view apparently being to intercept n. body of spenial conatabfcfl from tfeg couukf, districts who

woro supposed to bo coming into the City by that route. Can anyone havo any doubt, in view of the threats which havo been uttered and the yiolenco attempted ia the City on Thursday last, as to the purpose which these strikers had in view 1 In another column wo publish a statement by tho secretary of the Waterside Workers' Union, Mb. Farland, in which he makes protest against the charge of the mounted constables yesterday when they scattered the mob which was pelting them, and which was threatening the life of one of their number. This official of the strikers declares tfiat tho action of the polico was most unwarrantable, and that " Riding down strikers would only lead to violence, which the strikers did not want." Ho added that the union wanted the strike to go through without violence. What can the public think of tho consummate impudence of such statements] These strikers have been terrorising and intimidating the public, damaging property, forcibly preventing tho shipping and unshipping of cargo, violontly assaulting individuals, attacking special constables without tho least provocation—and their secretary has the effrontery to protest against the polico defending themselves and breaking up the mob which had first attacked them and was even at tho time of tho charge threatening' serious injury, and possibly loss of life to one of their number. Tho public, wo think, will havo realised ero this that not tho. least dangerous element which threatens the- community at the present time is that which deliberately ignores the lawlessness and violence of the strikers and greedily feizes on any excuse which may present itself lor criticising those wno are endeavouring to uphold tho law and protect the lives and property of peaceful citizens. The City Was seething with indignation yesterday over the injudicious and unwarranted aspersions cast on the police by Sir Joseph Ward on the strength of obviously biased hearsay evidence; and in tho country districts wo havo no doubt oven stronger resentment ' will be • felt. Wo merely mention this to illustrate the temper of the public concerning the situation. They havo had several days of mob rule with all its vicious accompaniments, and\they probably appreciate, as they have never done before, the security which they have enjoyed in tho past. They recognise that tho police- are endeavouring to restore law and order j that to do this they require the assistance and complete sympathy of citizens; they, moreover, understand that the police aro not risking lifo and limb daily in this struggle for their own pleasure, or for their own •immediate benefit; but for the protection of citizens and their families and the freeing of the City from tho grip of an organisation which is paralys-. ing trado and industry, causing great loss and inconvenience to tho farming community,. and bringing hardship and' suffering to many innocent people in tho ranks of the working classes. Tho conduct of the polico under most trying circumstances reflects the highest credit on the ■officers and rank and file of tho Force, and at tho proper time we have no doubt duo recognition will be made of tho service they have rendered. With the advent of increased numbers of mounted, special, constables from the country' districts it is to bo hoped - the strikers will see- the folly of further resort to mob violence. They may even see tho uselessness of "prolonging a struggle which thoy were ill-advised to enter into, and out of which they can hope to gain nothing,