"SPECIAL" CONSTABLES.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 303, 20 December 1913, Page 8

"SPECIAL" CONSTABLES.

ENTERTAINED AT TOWK HAII BY CITIZENS' DEFENCE COMMITTEE SOME HANDSOME PRESENTATIONS. A smoke social was tendered in the Town Hall last night by the Citizens' Defence Committee to the special canstables who assisted to guard the waterfront and patrol the city during the recent industrial ttnreet. Tluere was an attendance of considerably over a thousand, and tbe proceedings were characterised 'by unbounded enthusiasm. The .Mayor (Mr. C. J- Parr) presided, and with him on the platform were members ol" the Citizens' Defence Committee and representatives of the Fanners' Union. After the Mayor had referred to the unique nature of the function, aud expressed warm appreciation of the work of the v specials," a vocal and instrumental programme was commenced, during which a number of presentations were made in recognition of conspicuous services. A telegraphic intimation from Wellington to the effect that a full and satisfactory settlement of the seamen's dispute had been arrived at on an honourable basis, was read by the Mayor, and the announcement was received with cheeis. TRIBUTE TO FARMERS. An address, handsomely framed in silver, was presented by the Mayor on behalf of the Citizens' Defence Committee to Major R. B. Lusk, provincial president of the New Zealand Farmers' Union, in recognition of his services in conjunction with those of the farmers during the strike. Tlie Mayor said fifty years ago Major Lusk was lighting the Maoris in order that tlie white men might live in this country, while to-day he was fighting another foe to enable white man to live in the country with the rights that were due to him. (Applause.) Major Lusk was to be congratulated on his vitality and vigour, more especially as he had left 83 years behind him. (Applause.) The Mayor remarked that the presentation was being made not only because of Major Lusk's personal qualities, but also because he represented the farmers. (Cheers.) In referring to the recent trouble, the speaker observed that the upholders ol law and order might have appeared weak if they hod submitted to the bluff of the "Red Federation," but when the " cockies" came to town on big horses, and with lengthy sticks, the other side began to realise that they were not to be bluffed. (Applause.) He declared that by their recent action the farmers had gone up a hundred per cent in the estimation of Auckland citizens, for they had made it apparent that theirs wis indeed a force to be reckoned with. (Cheers.) OUT FOR THEIR RIGHTS. MajoT Lusk, in a feeling acknowledgment, said that the Farmers' Union was a body of earnest men, who not only had at heart the interests of the farmers, but also the interests of the whole community. (Applause.)' The farmejs were not an- aggTessivc body, but they were determined to protect their rights. He thought the movement of enrolling special constables which had been set afoot would in future prevent any dictatorial tactics such as those whicji had recently been adapted. To his mind, it was the greatest piece of check imaginable -for a few fellows banging about the wharves t-o think that they -wore going to stop the commerce of the country. (Hear, hear.) "While we all hope foT peace," said the speaker. "I can assure you that if the need again arises the men from the country will come to Auckland, and perhaps they won't be quite so gentle aa before." (Cheers.) In conclusion Major Lusk warmly expressed his thanks for the handsome presentation. (Renewed cheering.) OFFICERS OF THE MOUNTEDS. Fttvther presentations of handsome pieces of platf were made to officers who commanded the mounted "specials," and as each was called to the platform he was greeted with Tousing cheers. *Ehe Mayor referred to the really hard work which had been done by the officers in controlling "tie finest body of men that had ever come to Auckland." (Applause.)

Those who Teccived presentations -were Major Wynyard and Captain Colbeck (stall officers). Major A. Tattersall (officer-commanding- the first regiment), Major J. H. Herrold (second regiment), Major H. Jolly (third regiment). Captain Sma-lcs (adjutant), and Captain Stark (quartermaster). Col. Rider (fourth regiment) was not present io receive his presentation.

Captain Colbeck made an acknowledgment on behalf of the recipients. He had not experienced hardships, he said; in fact, he had never been at a camp where the food was so good and the discomfiture so small. (Hear, hear.) The speaker declared that he had not come down to do the city a service, but to see to the loading of his dairy produce; and tha;t applied to all of the fanners. Therefore he did not see the necessity for presentations. In conclusion, the speaker paid a glowing tribute to tho heroism of the wives, who had made it possible for the farmere to come to town. (Applause.) At the call of the Mayor three hearty cheers were given for the women of the country. THE CITY OFFICERS. An equally demonstrative spectacle was witnessed when presentations of costly plate were -made to officers of the city "specials." Before -banding over these gifts the Mayor traversed the early ■history of the strike, and declared that the organising of such an effective foTce of foot "specials" couid not have been carried out bnt for tlie splendid assistance of the officers, who had so readily come forward. (Cheers.) Presentations were made to Major Plugge, Major Greenhough, Captain Shearer, Captain Dawson, Captain Finn and Captain Gibb. The gifts weTe acknowledged by Captain •Da.wson, who called upon the "specials" to give three cheers for the Citizens' Defence Committee. These -were given in a most hearty manner. MORE PRESENTATIONS. Following the supper adjournment the Mayor announced that he had still another pleasing duty to perform, namely, the making of a presentation to the cooks on the Queen's wharf, Kingf wharf, the Drill Hall, and at the tearoom. When the presentations were made there was much cheering and applause, A final presentation was then made, on behalf of the members of C Company, to Captain Fleming, also to the accompaniment of enthusiastic cheers and applause. CONCLUSION. Mr Arch Clark briefly addressed those present. He stated that there was one curious coincidence in connection with tho gathering, and that was that Major Lusk and he had been shipmates on the ship Thames from London to Kew Zealand 64 years ago. Since that time Auckland had grown from a small village to v city that was destined to be one "of the best in the Southern Hemisphere, He

expressed his appreciation of the manner in which the "specials" had come forward to maintain law and order, and at the cessation of the trouble which, he predicted, was ended for a good many years to cctme. On behalf of the Defence Committee he thanked them all very heartily for the part they had played. Major Lusk stated that there was one man here (the Mayor) who had done a great deal for them, and it was only fitting that they should recognise the fact with a hearty -three times three." The cheers were given with a wiU.

The Mayor in response expressed his appreciation, and stated that there were occasions during that most trying time when his heart was in his mouth. When he felt like this he always went for comfort and support to one of the camps, and the welcome he received there invariably heartened him, for he felt that nothing much could happen so long as these men were behind him. The Mayor's actions in this strike had met with some criticism; he had been told by strikers that he should not have taken any active part in the strike; that he should have remained neutral and that because he bad not he had signed his death warrant as a public man. (Cries of "JflF, no. Well see about that.") But he was not built on "do nothing" lines; besides, it seemed to him that be had a duty to this itemmunity. The community was in danger and the port in the hands of a gang of lawless strikers. The time had come when protection was necessary, and the mayor who sat down and did nothing under such circumstances was not worthy his office. (Loud applause.) It- meant that the syndicalists of Kew Zealand, directed from Wellington by half a dqzen feather-headed agitators, had dec! \-ed war upon the community, nnd who wtV to say that when war was declared on the conununitv the Mayor was to sit down It was his duty to rise to the occasion on the side of law and order. ( \pplause.) He wanted to say that he did not regret for a single moment the action he bad taken. He had been told that as a public man he was doomed. (Cries of "Never.") It did not matter whether he was or not; he had done his duty and had helped to maintain the law and restore order, and that was sufficient reward, even if be had to retire from office to-morrow. (Loud applaud.) The singing of the National Anthem terminated the proceedings.