THE SQUARE.

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

THE SQUARE.

„«tHE CAVALRY, CHARGE" AND 01R JOSEPH WARD. (To tho Editor.)

Sir,— Having witnessed this affaiTf I should like to say « £w words. At 6.45 last evening, I had occasion to .go to the General Post Office, and, on leaving that office, 1 heard some .awful boobooh's and shouting, and so made a rush to see all I could: 'I Saw. the mounted constables approaching, .nndi rushed over and followed, oloso behind ■ thorn as they cleared tlio way'. Just as tho horse fell with tlio constable at tho gates leading to tho Queen's Wharf the strikers commenced to throw iron hooks (used for handling cargo),-■stones, and. cither missiles. One striker that stood beside mo when tho horse fell drew ahook from his he-It,,and I,noticed ho carried a claw hammer ■-<in- < -"hia hip jiacket, I certainly think _ that tho mounted men had groat patience, and, in charging, only did their duty. I was amused -when I. read Sir J. G.Ward's attack on the Prima • Minister last night. I thought ait honourable man like Sir Joseph Ward would havo tried to get facts before making state* meuts in the House as ho did last night. I also notice that Sir Joseph Ward states that they rang him up at his rooms, and lio mado hfe way 'down' tho secno. Now, tho charge was I mad© at 5.80-, and as soon as the mounted constables passed I eamo up to Lambton Quay, and I met Sir Joseph Ward at Eslburne Avciiuo at. 5.(58.' If ho was in his room* at tho time ho must live closo by this spot, as ho wdb Walking leisurely along the Quay (Lambton). Ho did not seem to know there was trouble at all.—l am, etc., . , , O.A.T.

QetoDcr 81, 1913. (To .tire Editor.) Sir,—Your leading article in to-day's Dojiinjon, directing attention to Sir Joseph Ward's speech iii Parliament in connection with tho stoke, was a timely reminder that tho man for whoso party sonjo of us voted at tho last flection is nofc so immaculate a politician as his political friends are. just now suggesting. f! I don't want to make a.uy political advantage out of this; hull I would Kko to filch tho votes," ho in-; fwentially remarks. Tho peopfc o(j this country will not tolerate for long, a politician of tho typo of Mr. Facing-Both-Ways at tho present juncture; thev will give short shrift to tho philanderer, bo ho n butcher, baker, or baronet. What the country require!) in tho Leader of tho Opposition is a; man who will throw tho whole weight of his influence-*.if ho ha? any—oh tlio side of law and order, It is only owing !to tho peculiar temnorarnerit of tho people of Now Zealand that such a .grotesque position as Sir Joseph Ward, has assumed is possible. In the Old Country the combined farces of pubffp opinion and'tho individual's own inherent sense of what is right would drive Mm into the- political wilderness,-'! anv etc., J. F. HIRST. '(To tho Editor.) ■ Sir,—ln theso troublesome times it is essential for tho welfaro of aIL that our politicians should support tho action of tho Government in providing special police protection for safety. It is pleasing to note that this has been, dono in most cases, but of courso ono could hardly expect our baronet to let. tho opportunity go by without making party capital out of it. No! Tho bait was too tempting for him. His old! wiliness has not left him, aid lie is auain tho demagoguo pure and simple* lliis latest move of his once, more confirms tho opinion that ho is uiiablo to sink his petty party interests even where interests of tho greatest magnitude are at stake. If ho hopes by theso-. methods to capture a few votes, then lie is welcome to tho .weitklinjgs who. aro so easily trapped, but Jif wa recognisethat tho Government -is doing its best in tho interest of pubtio safety, then nil tho wore will tho actien of tho Stat* bo applauded, and no rtehtrthinkii'ia man will thank Sir Joseph Ward for his paltry action in tho Ilouso in attack, ing those who provkto a safeguard from .tho violence, of •■ theso irresponsibbi 'strikers.—I 1 am? etc'./" • ■'■'■■ WALTER' E,' HALL.