AUCKLAND QUIET

Hokitika Guardian, 19 April 1932, Page 5

AUCKLAND QUIET

RELIEF STRIKES DEPUTATION REFUSED HEARING. (By Telegraph.—Per tress Association J AUCKLAND, April 18. Very few people were abroad in the city to-night, the Mayor’s appeal to the citizens to stay at home hemg successful. I'Cw shops had their fronts illuminated, many being completely boarded up. .Patrols of specials and the civil police were on duty, but their services have not been required. Although a strike of relief workers was declared in Auckland on Wednesday/the position on various jobs to-day was considered satislacto-y.

On some of the relief works, and particularly in a few of the suburban areas, the men who should have reported for work have failed to pur in ail appearance.

A few isolated jobs wore at a complete standstill. Jn a number of districts a standdown week is being observed. 11l these localities the work provided was for those who had lost time front previous weeks,

Generally, men showed a disposition to go to work, and they took up their duties, although scattered attempts were made by pickets, to induce men to refuse to start.

UNEMPLOYED DEPUTATION. MAYOR DECLINES AUDIENCE. AUCKLAND, April 18. The Mayor, Mr G. W. Hutchinson, made the following- statement this morning: The Town Clerk has received a communication by telephone this morning from the representatives of the District Council of the Unemploy ed, requesting the Mayor to receive a deputation for the purpose of conveying a request to the Government to define the position.

The following reply was given: a ln to your request for the Mayor to receive a deputation this morning, I have seen the Mayor, and he has asked me to inform you that, even an late as this morning, men have been intimidated on going to take up their occupations, and-he is very sorry that, at present, lie could not receive a deputation from you until the men go back to work, and he would urge that you advise your members to abandon strike tactics, and, as soon as the men 'go back to work, he will do everything in his power to assist in rehabilitating Mattel's.” TO PRESERVE LAW AND ORDER. RILL TO BE INTRODUCED. WELLINGTON, April 18. A Bill will be introduced in the House to-morrow, to strengthen tile Government’s hands, in the interests of public safety. There is reticence as to the support of the legislation, hut it is anticipated that it will confei power for the issue of a proclamation | declaring a state of emergency should I occasion arise. Urgency will probably be asked for to enable the hill to be enacted without delay, and as it will be only a [ short measure, and all parties in the ’ House ere in accord as to the necesI sitv for preserving law and order, it j i.i not expected that difficulty will be j met in. having the bill enacted. CONTENTS KEPT SECRET. WELLINGTON, April 18. ' The special steps to which the Prime Minister referred tor the purpose o? strengthening the law, in the interests of the preservation of law and order and public safety, will be the subject of legislation to he introduced in the House to-morrow. Tt is understood that the legislation which the Government is contemplating will he presented in an entirely new statute, conferring wider authority for measures to be adopted in the event of oiministancos arising which imperil public safety. * Reticence is being preserved by the Prime Minister as to the nature of the Bill to he brought down, but it is believed that it will lie a brief measure, giv'ing authority for emergency steps to he taken to counter lawlessness. .Power may be given for action to be effected by proclamation. Urgency will probably be asked for to enable the Bill to be enacted without delay. GOVERNMENT WILL NOT PAY. LOSSES OF SHOPKEEPERS. WELLINGTON. April 18. The question of the 1 payment of compensation to Auckland shop keepers who suffered losses as a result of the riots was raised this afternoon with Mr Forbes, who was asked whether the Government considered it had ally liability in the matter. “Tlr'i'c is no sense or reason behind !lie suggestion that ttie- Government should have to foot the bill.,*’ Mr Foi'hes replied. “It is entirely a matter for the city itself, and the Government has no liability whatever.”

RIOT INSURANCE.

INCREASE OK 200% IN X.Z. WELLINGTON, April IS. The increased rate of insurance announced in Auckland on Friday on

plate, glass damaged as a result of strikes, riots or other ei' il commotion is operative throughout the whole or New Zealand, according to information obtained to-day from the Underwriters’ Association. The increase is one of 200 per cent- on tho ordinary annual rates.