South Canterbury Times, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1880.
Another alarming display of imbecility lias been made by the authorities. Directly it was hinted some few days ago that the Orangemen of Timaru, accompanied by their friends from the adjacent districts, intended to “ walk ” on the fifth of November, the old ladies who arc supposed to maintain law and order began carefully to arrange their war-paint, and to decorate themselves with the natural outward of childish tciror. Since then the precautionary elements have been at work, and the ludicrous manifestations of alarm have been worked up to the pitch of a screaming farce. So far as the authorities arc concerned, they seem to have been uncomfortable themselves and to have done their best to frighten the population out of their usual propriety. Two hundred law-abiding tradesmen, whose time is money, and who can ill afford the sacrifice, were sworn in as special constables, all the public-houses in town have been closed, large contingents of constabulary from remote localities have been on the alert, the volunteers have been kept on the watch ready for action—in fact the most outrageous foolery lias been enacted, as if some raw-head and bloody-bones was about to be paraded, instead of a quiet procession of law-abiding Orangemen. The condition of Timarn to-day provokes the enquiry—Arc we living in a free and enlightened age ; do we reside in a British colony where the law of the land is respected? How long is the present state of things going to be continued ? Arc the rights and liberties of the people worth protecting ; or arc they to he periodically menaced ? Is the civil authority so feeble—so absolutely helpless—that a few banners cannot be waved, or a few sashes of a particular color worn without the guardians of the peace going into hysterics, and virtually repeating the display of imbecility which brought odium upon our town and district nearly twelve months ago ? If a social conflagration has to he dreaded every time an Orange procession takes place why not take effective measures? Why be content with the swearing in and tape-tying of tradesmen whose youthful education in the stick line has been sadly i-eglectcd, and who would no more think of breaking the head of a follow creature than of jumping off the Breakwater ? Why not call out the only safe and cJVcctivc organisation in case of danger—the Volunteer Fire Brigade ? Our firemen, if called upon, would not make a more parade of timidity. Thc3 r would not he content to listen to the Biot Act. and then turn their back on the foe. They would at least bring their hose and lire engines into requisition, and try (he effect of hydropathic treatment in cooling the ardor of ill-advised zealots. Under ordinary circumstances wc arc always inclined to support the authorities in their endeavors to maintain the public peace. But the precautionary measures that, in this instance, have been taken wore unnecessary and unwarranted. To admit that they were required is to admit that the law of the country rests on a most insecure foundation. No doubt the illustrious exhibition of imbecility which took place in front of the municipal buildings last Boxing Day has had a bad effect, and the pusillanimous attitude of the bench has not tended to improve matters. But the population being forewarned was forearmed, and there was no need to apprehend a tumult. If a similar scene over occurs in Timarn again there will probably bo no need to call out the police, read the Biot Act, and then heat a retreat. The good souse of the community and the determination to repress organised disorder will be will be found a far more reliable weapon than the arm of the law, espccialh' when that arm is weak and vaccilhiting. The closing of public houses and swearing in of the population on cvciy gala occasion when Orangemen bold high festival is enough to bring Timaru into contempt. Wo do not know what the authorities think about it, but wc believe there are few citizens who will not, on reflection, feel heartily ashamed of the prccautionaiy stops that have been taken. The interference with trade and the liboity and convenience of the public is simpty intolerable. The people arc placed under intimidation and why? Because a mere handful of hot-blooded and impulsive enthusiasts gathered in from the countiy on one occasion and made a howling disphiy under -the patronage of the police, the Resident Magistrate, and the other representatives of law and order, in front of a lodgcroom. On that occasion a holiday was being kept and Timaru was goners illy deserted, but to-diy there was no necessit3 r for apprehension, for the brawny tenant was in occupation. We cannot to strongly deprecate the attempts that have been made to make mountains out of mole lulls. The Oraugcmcu have been insulted with lectures ou good behaviour, as if the3 r were the aggressors and not the turbulent few, whose doings have had such an awe-inspiring effect on the timid old ladies who have been tying the elbows of our citizens. It is to be hoped that for the future there will be no such deplorable exhibition of faint-heartedness, and that the law-abiding reputation of the people of Timaru will render the town as safe for public processions of all kinds, as any other part of Her Majesty’s dominions.
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South Canterbury Times, Issue 2384, 5 November 1880, Page 2
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899South Canterbury Times, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1880. South Canterbury Times, Issue 2384, 5 November 1880, Page 2
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