THE RIOT ACT

Hokitika Guardian, 19 April 1932, Page 6

THE RIOT ACT

NO OFFICIAL RECORDS. EMERGKNC Eh OF THE PAST’ RECALLED. WELLINGTON. April 18. No official record has been kept in Now Zealand of the occasions on which it has been necessary to read the Riot Act, although the recollection of those concerned in the “ administration of justice i.s that more than three such emergencies could not be traced. ’“Police officials seen -'This 'morning could recall no instances, but some thought that the Acjt was read during the I l9fe waterside strike m Wellington. when special contingents of mouiit•ed farmers to the- to -Jond their own produce on overseas ships. This, however, was nob the case, according to Air W. G. Riddell, formerly a ‘.e'lior Stipendiary Magistrate in Wellington, who is regarded as the best authority on matters affecting crime and the maintenance of public order.

Mil-Riddel said that he was positive that the Riot- Act was not read in Wellington during the disturbance referred to. “1 .should know. he said, “because T carried the Riot Act proclamation in my pocket during; th ' whole of the trouble. 1 thought on one or two ■ occasions that I would 'have to read it, but I was requested by the Government not to do so." As far as he could renumber, added Mr Ridded 1, the only instance on which recourse had been made to this legislation was in Christchurch over thirty years ago, when the proclamation was read by Mr H. W. Bishop. S.M. Mr Riddel] said that there may have hern other instances when the Act was read ill New Zealand, hut lie certainly did

not know of them. A high, police official. discussing the same question, said that, lie had tlm impression, though he was not positive, that, the Act was read during (lie \\ B strike. !t is understood that, although no record has been kept in the past <>l reading the Riot Act. Magistral-'- ~ Court officers will in future he required to keep a record of the e iTimistanees.