DRASTIC MEASURE

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

DRASTIC MEASURE

("Post" Special Commissioner).

SEYERE PENALTIES PROVIDED FOR FAILURE TO OBEY PROCLAMATION t CLAUSES ALWAYS HN FORCE

WELLINGTON, Saturday. The reading of the Riot Act is a most drastic emergency measure, of which the most sparing use has been made in New Zealand. Life imprisonment is one of the penalties provided for non-compliance with the provisions of a proclamation under the Act. Relevant sections of the Crimes Act define an unlawful assembly as a gathering o'f three or more persons who, by their conduct, cause bystanders to fear that th'ey 'will disturb the peace or provoke other persons to disturb it. Every member of an unlawful assembly is liable to 12 months imprisonment. A riot is defined as an unlawful assembly that has actually begun to disturb the peace tumultously, and every rioter is liable to two years imprisonment. It is also provided that every sheriff or Justice of the Peace who has received' notice of a riot or an unlawful assembly has the authority, and it is his duty, to read the Riot Act among the rioters, or as close as he can safely get, "In a loud voice after comm'anding silence." The exact terms of the Riot Act proclamation are: "Our Sovereign Lord the King charges and commands all persons, being assembled, immediately to disperse and peacefu'lly depart to their habitations or •to their lawful business, upon' the pa'in of being guilty of an offence on conviction of which they may be sentenced to imprisonment with hard labour for life. God Save the King." All' persons are liable to imprisonment with hard labour for life who: (1) With' force and arms' wilfull'y opposej hiinder or hurt any person about to malce a pfbclamation, "resulting in its not being maqle, and (2) Continue togetber to the number of twelve for one hour after the issue of the proclamation or the hindrance to its publication. It is further provided that if rioters do not disperse within one hour of the Riot Act being read, a'sheriff or Justice of the Peace and all persons required by them to assist thes'e officials, shall cause the rioters to be arrested. If rioters are killed or

the arrest or carrying out such orders are completely indemnified. Further sections provide the penalty of imprisonment for life with hard labour to any rioters who demolish or pull down or begin to demolish or pull down any building or machinery whatever, any bridge or any btisineSs or mining structure. The penalty of seven years' imprisonment is provided for causing injury to or damage to any of the erections referred to. These sections of the Act are operative irrespective of whether the Riot Act has been read