CABINET DETERMINED

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 201, 18 April 1932, Page 5

CABINET DETERMINED

("Post" Special Commissioner).

EMERGENCY LEGISLATION TO STRENGTHEN HANDS OF AUTHORITIES STATEMENT BY PREMIER

WELLINGTON, Saturday. "The Government is determined that law and order in this country shall be -maiintained and Cabinet intends-almost- immediately to striengthen the hahds-of the police and local authorities jn Auckland and "other centres, to ensurfe that outbreaks of lawlessnesS' do not recur." This statement was made by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, this afternoon follo'wing a meeting of' Cabinet called' spec'ally toi con'sider what steps' should be taken by way of special legislation to meet sueh emergencies. M'r. Forbes stated that Cabinet had devPted' lasfnight and this morning to the matter and was satisfied that he authorities in Auckland had the situation-well in hand. This was based on advices which had from time to time been received from the Mayor, Mr. G. W. Hutchison. In reply to a question, the Prime Minister pointed out that the Mayor of Auckland and the mayors of other cities had authority to read the Riot Act if circumstances warranted it, but the mayor had to be' the judge of the situation. Cabinet had carefully considered what emergency measures would be necessary to assist the mayor and police in the preservation of law and order, and although a ' final decisiori had not been reached, it was possible that special legislation would be presented to the House of Representatives at an early date. Mr. Forbes made it clear that, although ample powers existed for handling situations such as had developed in Auckland, anything' done outside the law to assist authorities in the execution of their duty would be validated. Answering other inquiries, Mr. Forbes said that nq special steps had been taken by the Government to prohibit the holding of processions since that was a matter that local bodies could deal with. Moreover, no action had been taken regarding labour demonstrations. This also was being left to the local bodies concerned and no trouble was anticipated. Speaking generaily, Mr. Forbes said that accoyding to advices he had received from the metropolitan mayors, there was no cause for apprehension. Mr. Forbes stated that complete arrangements had been made to safeguard the position in Wellington, ' although no trouble was expected to develop. Mr. Forbes was asked if special steps had been taken to protect Parliament Buildings, which it was suggested would be the storm centre of any outbreak that was likely to occur in Wellington. He replied that no special steps were being taken. He also smilingly discounted a suggest;on that he and other members of the Cabinet were being accorded special police protection. It was stated officially that the naval vessels in Wellington at present will remain in the meantime and that should their services he required, the Government will not hesitate to make full use of armed naval detachments. The Minister of Justice, .the Hon. J. B. Cobbe, has this matter in hand.