POLICE v. STRIKERS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 189, 9 February 1914, Page 3

POLICE v. STRIKERS.

• CiIARIiKS OP SCPIXEXBSS. DEALT WITH ItY MR. lIKKDMAN. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Saturday Night. Regarding the charges by the Chief •Justice as to supineness on the part of the police during the I'eatherston street riot in Wellington during the strike, the Minister of Justice) Mr, Ilerdmaii) sayg although t-he reports of police slackness were absurdly exaggerated by the 'people, there appeared to be some foundaI tion for the suggestion that live or six I men showed reluctance to do duty. The [ police had strict instructions to maiui tain order and make arrests where practicable. Evidence sxisted that in the Feathcrston street riot this was not done, and it looked as if a small number of the force sympathised with the strikers. The Minister referred to the efforts to form a police association. The movement was steadily supported and encouraged by prominent Opposition politicians and Opposition organs, but steadily and vigorously resisted by the Governmen, with the result that at the time of the strike some members of the

force were disaffected. This may account for the inactivity. Some men in Feathcrston street had been informed by tho police authorities that Sir .Joseph Ward's speech in the House upon the Post Office Square incident did not encourage constables on duty to display undue activity. The Chief .Justice's suggestion that 50 arrests should have been made was not practicable, as arresting men and escorting them to the lock-.ip would have weakened the force on f.he scene of action. Except for the Feathcrston street incident the conduct of the force was exemplary. They worked untiringly, showed patience, tact, firmness, and courage, as testified to by the officers of specials and citizens. The attacks at diffll'ereut times on the force were, in the main, unfair and unwarranted and without justification. The general charge of siipineiiess on the. part of the authorities "I emphatically deny," Additional sentences in the strike cases are: Ackland 12 months, Colclough 21 months, Hassctt two years, .Johnstone nine monthss, Seal seven months, Beaumont nine months, Parker seven months, .Stephens three months and Stuparich twelve months.