The Dominion. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1913. THE DUTIES OF CITIZENSHIP.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1901, 8 November 1913, Page 4

The Dominion. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1913. THE DUTIES OF CITIZENSHIP.

"It is necessary that those who have the Dominion's welfare at heart should bind themselves together and break down the system of lawlessness and maintain the. national and civic government on the best lines," These words of the Mayor of Wellington (Mb, Luke) should _ receive the thoughtful consideration and approval of every citizen who appreciates the gravity of the crisis through which the Dominion is now passing. lleccnt ovents in various parts of New Zealand have proved in a most convincing manner that a dangerous element has grown up in our midst which ■ may, at any time, get out of hand if not kept in check by tho knowledge that the law-abiding section of tho community, which, of course, includes tho vast majority of tho population, is quite able and willing, whenever the occasion arises, to protect itself against any attempt to defy tho constituted authorities and set aside law and order. Unpunished law-breaking has a most demoralising effect on the whole community, for when tho undesirable elements which exist in every Country find that they can do violence and go free that respect for public authority upon which good government so largely depends is seriously weakened, In a democracy the law is the expression of tho will of the people. Lawlessness is a declaration of war on society, and society must take effective measures to protect itself. In proposing that citizens should bind themselves together for the maintenance of national and civie government on the best lines, the Mayor does not for a moment suggest anything in tho way of organised aggression on the rights and liberties of any man or class of men. It is not a movement against labour unionism or any other legitimate "form of organisation. It is not offence but defence that, he h-as in view, and trades unionists aro just as much concerned as anyone else. What is required is some form of organisation with tho object of assisting tho constituted authorities if need be in the protection of life and property in sudden ■emergencies, and to prevent the business of the country from being paralysed by any form of unlawful interference. The experience which has been gained during the present crisis ought not to be pasted. Something should fee done to keep in touch with tho special constables and others Who havo so impressively demonstrated that the sympathies of the people of New Zealand are overwhelmingly on the side of law and order, so that, if m any future occasion the ordinary police force should bs unable to cope with a serious outburst of organised violence, they may_ be promptly and automatically reinforced by a capable body of. men willing to do their duty to their country. During the past week or so it ha,s been brought home in a' Very forcible manner to "the great third party" to industrial disputes—the public-that it must be prepared to protect itself when sedition and violence are openly preached, and when revolutionary Socialists eivdeavoiir to dislocate industry and commerce, proclaim the class war, and even threaten to usurp the government of the country. _ Every man and woman in the Dominion who prefers civilised government to moo rule ought to be ready to follow the splendid example of the special constables, and let it be known to all the world that New Zealand is not going to allow methods of barbarism to take the. place of the law of the land.

Wo are quite certain that Mr. Luke would be no party to an attack oil legitimate trades unionism, add no defence organisation could expect to receive support from the general public unless it is prepared to protect the rights of the Worker as well as those of the employer. The Workers are quite justified in taking joint action in order to strengthen their position in bargaining with their employers and in improving the conditions of labour. Unionism is specially recognised by the law of New Zealand, which , has £et up machinery for the settlement of industrial disputes by an impartial tribunal. What is suggested is that tho present force of special constables should be made the nuelcus o-f an organisation which would welcome to its ranks any citizens Willing to assist in upholding the law ana preserving order should occasion arise for such action. Tim riots we have recently witnessed may. never occur again, but it would be foolish to ignore the fact that they may rectir at any time. The knowledge that there was in existence a large body of citizens enrolled to assist tie police when required in stamping out mob disorders would have a deterrent effect, and, in addition, enable systematic organisation to be carried out, and plans made in the event of threatened trouble. The exact nature of the Mayor's proposal we do not pretend to know, but wo wovtld seriously commend the general idea to thd attention of citizens.