FEATHERSTON STREET RIOTS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 29, 4 February 1914, Page 6

FEATHERSTON STREET RIOTS.

CHIEF JUSTICE’S REBUKE.

[Teh Press Association.) Wellington, February 4

Comment was made by the Clue Justice (Sir Robert Stoutj to-day o the way in which the authorities hand led the Featherstonc Street strik riots.

During the hearing of the charge against a waterside worker of takin; part in the riot, the foreman of tin jury asked why the evidence of tin arresting constables had not heei brought forward. The Crown Prosecutor explains that the arrested men had been ii] at the police station, and owing t( the general confusion and excitemen prevailing at the time they were no now able to call those who were arrested. .

The Chief Justice said the case foi the Crown had been prepared in i very shipshod way. Although he die pot'blame' Counsel for the Crown, tin fact that there was excitement am trouble on the (Jay in question wai no excuse for the supine conduct ol those responsible for the safety ol the city. Where stones were thrown and human life was in danger, some far more serious—steps should have been taken in the interests of the public safety. It may have been that the Police authorities, thought the,' had not sufficient force; nevertheles. the hole thing seemed to have beer managed in a very slipshod way. Instead of five or six arrests, fifty oi sixty should have been made. His Honor added that special constables seemed to have been exceed ingly forbearing—far more than would he the case in many other countries.