"SPECIALS" AND THE COUNCIL.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14918, 17 March 1914, Page 8

"SPECIALS" AND THE COUNCIL.

♦ ■ fik SOCIAL DEMOCRATS' || QUESTIONS.

H HEATED DISCUSSION-

The appointment of Colonel Chaffey and the enrolment of the special constables was the subject of a discussion at the City Council last night, the debate at times being somewhat heated. Tho subiect arose out of a letter from Mr E. F. Shadbolt, secretary of tho Social Democratic Party, who wrote under instructions from tho District Council, asking for information as to who was responsible for tho enrolment -.* . >f the special constables and the appointment of Colonel Chaffey during the recent industrial crisis. Cr. Hunter moved that a reply should bo sent that the. Council was not responsible for the enrolment of the ■special constables or the appointment of Colonel Chaffey. Cr. McCombs said that he would second the motion if the wording was that 'neither the Mayor nor the City Council" was responsible. They had had the Mayor's assurance on a previous occasion that he had nothing to do with the enrolment of the •'speeiuls'' or the appointment of Colonel Chaffey. The Mayor: When did I give that assurance. 1 Cr. McCombs said that he could not givi> thf (Tate. Cr. Hayward moved that the letter lie on t'he table. •_•■. Cr. Cooper seconded. *--'<*''. The Mayor asked if any other coun'■■"*.vitlor wished to speak. .% '■■ Cr. Hunter said that he could not ttff'pt Mr McCombs's suggested alteration. The Mayor was upon the point of puttint: the motion when Cr. Burgoyne accused his Worship of attempting to block discussion. The Mayor said that he had asked if there any further speakers. Cr. Hunter said that he had not riMMi to reply. Cr. McCombs then seconded Cr. Hun-.s-ajs ter's motion. "*jp Cr. Otley said that the matter was one uith which the Council had nothing to do. The -'specials" had done good ! work, but they were only wasting the Council's time in discussing the matter. -.. Cr. Burgoyne said that they had '..spent some time in discussing matters brought beforo them by the Citizens' Association, and they should discuss this matter, which was brought before . them by another body. ,'■_.,,;*! Cr. Sorensen remarked that the So-i Democratic Party was a political, a'-nd not a municipal body. Cr. McCullough said that it was stated in the newspapers that Colonel "Chaffey was appointed by the civic authorities. They wanted to know who were responsible. Cr. McCombs: They are ashamed to come to light! Cr. Hayward said that with his seconder's concurrence he would withdraw his amendment. ~ Cr. .Miller said that there had been no necessity to brine "a lot of country bumpkins to Christchurch." Cr. Otley protested against the "specials" l>eing insulted. Cr. Hayward: I ask that that remark be withdrawn. Cr. Miller: I decline to withdraw it —ever.* word is. true. There was no such thing as disorder in the city. He added that those who knew who wero responsible were afraid to give the information. Cr. Otley said that Cr. Miller had j-rme out of his way to accuse him (Cr. Otley) of being afraid to express his opinion. His worst enemy bad never accused him of beine afraid to say what be thoncbt. He did not know who appointed the "specials," and did not .want to know. Or. Miller: You know all right. Cr. Otley objected to Cr. Miller declining to accept his statement. Tlio Mnyor said that Cr. Miller must accept Cr. Otley's statement. The Mnyor then made a statementHe said' that ho did not intend to reveal all he knew. At the time of the strike and before tho "specials" were appointed he received a number of anony•moua letters from persons too cowardly to sign their names. They threatened to burn down bis house, and to waylay and molest him. Councillors knew perfectly well that he had advertised in tho newspapers asking people to enrol a. sopcial constables, and before he would betray citizens, the confidence of whom he must necessarily possess, he would resign bis position a thousand times over. The Social Democrat-* knew that perfectly well, and wished him to implicate other citizens but be/ was not going to do so. He hoped tho motion would be thrown out: it was a shame that the matter was brought before the Council. The reason for it was quito clear —election time was near. He had had an embarrassing time enough without the end of his term being made more embarrassing. Cr. Hunter: The night this matter > was discussed in the Council you ruled " the matter out of order — The Mayor: I gave my answer then. Cr. Hunter contended that the Mayor, on the previous occasion, had absolutely burked discussion. As representing a section of the ratepayers, he had a duty to perform— The Mayor: As a member of the Strike Committee. What right has a member of the Strike Committee — Cr. Hunter: I am -not asking as a me.mber of the Strike Committee. The Mayor: You cannot dissociate the two positions. Cr. Hunter said that be desired to see democratic government upheld. Cr. Hayward objected that new matter was being introduced. Cr. Hunter said that he would like ■to see the letters that the Mayor had '. £>,lpentiotted. He bad not heard of other receiving such letters. }>:.' The Mayor: Well, I never! ' Cr. Hunter: I was surprised to hear yop state that you had received such letters. He went on to say that there was no -disorder in the city at strike time, that the Labour people had kept order, and that the "specials" were paraded along Gloucester street on one occasion for the purpose of creating disorder. * ' . Mr Otley moved that the letter lie on the table. ; Cr. Cooper seconded. j«j Tt was ruled that this amendment "."could not be moved, the mover having 'Teplied. Cr. Hayward said that his amend--.ruejit to the same effect was still in his seconder not having given iis consent to its withdrawal. •Cr. Hunter contended that the seconder, by keeping silent, had given o|mj*ent. lit was stated that the Council had not given permission for the amendment to be withdrawn. The amendment was agreed to by JO votes to 6. Division list—Ayes": - -' The Mayor, Crs. Cooper, Havw'ard, Morton, -Loasby. Taylor, Williams, • Otley, Acland. Sorensen. Noes: Crs. Scott. McCombs. Hunter. McCullough, Miller, Burgoyne.