DASTARDLY CONDUCT.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1899, 6 November 1913, Page 6

DASTARDLY CONDUCT.

If any of the people of this city had any doubts at all as to the accuracy of the reports of the conduct of the bands of roughs who have been perpetrating the cowardly and brutal attacks on the special constables stationed here, they would have had those doubts fully dissipated by the scenes which were witnessed in the main streets of Wellington yesterday., As the mounted specials rode quietly through the main streets on their way to the wharf where the racehorses 'for the south were to be shipped, bands of men and youths, either strikers or their allies, pelted them with dangerous missiles in the most dastardly fashion, _ rushing for cover at the slightest sign of a retaliatory movement. These_ bands of men had apparently organised their cowardly attacks and there, in broad daylight, in tho main streets of the City and in the presence of hundreds of passers-by, they were permitted to carry on their assaults almost unchecked. The conduct of the mounted specials under these trying and dangerous circumstances was such as to win for them the admiration and respect, of every decentminded citizen who witnessed it. Their pluck and endurance were magnificent. Almost invariably they were attacked from behind or from some point of vantage where their cowardly assailants knew they were beyond reach of immediate punishment. When, as was imperatively necessary from time to time, they charged the rioters, they sent them scattering in all directions ior shelter, from which they emerged when all was clear again to resume their dastardly tactics. There are two points to which wo desire to direct the attention of the authorities. Tho first of these is the seeming neglect of the regular constabulary -to take active steps to deal with the stonethrowing which in many instances took pJaco under their very noses. They, being on foot, were in a position to seize tho offenders, and the mounted men could have quickly disposed of any attempt at rescue. But so far as we can learn the most that was done was to here and there admonish the stone-throwers, and in 1 one or two instances to take from them the missiles they openly held in their hands. Altogether, only some six or eight arrests were made in connection with the disorders, and four of these were made by special ' constables stationed at the Departmental Buildings facing Lambton ■ Quay. At the beginning of the strike ; disorders it was well-nigh useless for i the small force of police available to 1 attempt to make arrests, and in- ' struetions we believe were given to ! refrain from doing so. The situa- ! tion since has changcd in material respects and no effort should now be - spared to bring offenders to hook, i There has been far too much leniency I s hown; The second matter to which [ we would direct attention is tho ox- ; tremo restraint which has been placed - upon the mounted'special constables. ■' It is full time, that the authorities 1 realised that these man deserve 1 greater consideration at their hands. ' It is utterly,. wroßg at a timo Uko the

present to adopt the attitude that the representatives of law and order should be expected to place themselves at a disadvantage and quietly submit to insult and injury at the hands of riotous law-breakers. Such an attitude merely serves to encourage the lawless men who have so far enjoyed an immunity from punishment which is shocking the feelings of the whole community. The authorities must do something _ more than express their determination to uphold the law.'They must take such steps' as will completely stamp out the ( disorderly conduct which is demoralising city and country alike. They should now have ample men available if they would only use them to make a hundred arrests if necessary,' and to break up the ruffianism which is making the law of the land a byword in the mouths of citizens.