Special Constables.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 13 January 1891, Page 2

Special Constables.

+. —^ The year 1890 will, we hope, stand out in history as the only period in which a Government found it necessary to resort to the people to defend their property. It is satisfactory to know that they were never called, but once, to really do active duty, but their enrolment supplied the most force that was needed to show that every effort would be made to defend the people from fanatics. The "specials" Avere selected by the Justices and had to do duty when called upon, without fee or reward. The Government armed them with a baton and decorated them with a badge, and now they want the baton back ! All a .special may retain for the rislc he ran of a broken head is a badge! It appears to be too economical, let the " good men and true " retain the timber, as the cost cannot be excessive, and surely we trust the outlook for such another pecautionary measure is not imminent. Those who were among the 170,000 special constables organised to protect the House of Parliament in 1848 against the Chartists, were allowed to retain the batons issued to them, and thus enabled the holders to look back to the stormy scenes they very nearly participated in, There had been risings of the Charists in earlier years, but in 1848 they liald a mass meeting on what was then Kennington common, on the Surrey side of the Thames, and avowed their intention to march in procession to the House of Commons with a monster petition. The authorities decided otherwise, and by the enrolment of special constables, the quartering of troops in buildings, out of sight of the 'public, and assembling a large force of police, kept the approaches to Parliament clear of any gatherings. When the Chartists assembled, their leaders were informed that any attempt to pass the bridges in procession would be resisted, and as they marched up to Westminister bridge they found rows and rows of police formed across it at intervals, and only a certain number were allowed thro%gh at a time, and passed on and outside the area of Parliament. This upset the grandeur of the idea, and the petition was stowed away in three cabs, and carted in that undignified manner to the House of Commons. The determination shown by the public to repress agitation led to the rapid, decline of Chartisim. So we may hope that the patriotic efforts made by the citizens of Wellington at a time of tumult, may have a like effect, and so, we say, let them own their batons, if. they wish to.