PRESERVATION OF LAW AND ORDER.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15768, 8 December 1916, Page 8

PRESERVATION OF LAW AND ORDER.

♦ DISCUSSION BY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. Matters affccting the safety of the realm wcro discussed by tho members of the Chamber of Commerce at the quarterly meeting of that body yesterday. Mr C. H. Hewlett said that a reply had been received from the Minister of Defcnco stating that the Government could not do anything in regard to interning aliens, consequently •these men could do what they liked. In Australia they were doing what they liked, and here there were signs ' of serious trouble. He felt sure that unless something was done there would bo trouble. In Christcliurch a meeting had been called for that evening for the purposo of attempting to cause troublo and prevent .men going to the front. Enemy influences were responsible for this. "Unless we put our foot down," declared Mr Hewlett, "tho position will be very serious. Wo have sent a resolution up three times, once from a general meeting and twice from the Council." Mr A. H. Turnbull: All tho more reason why wc should follow it up with another. In reply to a question, Mr Hewlett said ho understood tho Government intended to do nothing. A member: What about the new war regulations ? Mr Hewlett: Will they be enforced? No. Mr A. Kayo considered they should wait and see "if tho regulations were put into force before taking any steps. • Mr W. Wood considered that they should congratulate tho Government upon tho regulations. Mr Hewlett moved: That this Chamber views with satisfaction the action of the Government in bringing in tho war regulations, and trusts that these will be rigidly enforced. The motion was carried. Mr W. M. Tyers suggested that the Government be asked to form a National Guard for the preservation of law and order during war time. Mr Hewlett considered the Government would welcome such a proposal to defeat any action that might be planned later on when more men left for tho front. Mr Turnbull considered it would be rather oremature, to put it mildly, for the "Chamber to pass a resolution on the lines suggested. They had sufficient policemen in Christchurch to arrest. every traitor in Canterbury, and behind them there were the Territorials and the C.D.C. Mr H. J. Marriner thought it far better to let the matter rest. They were going to create an awkward position if they acted on the lines proposed. Working men would place a wrong interpretation upon it, and it- would only lead to trouble. Mr 11. H. Smith also considered the motion premature. It. was only a small number of men making all the noise, and the great majority of working men were opposed to thesg men. and their proposals, and if it came to the point would help to suppress any trouble. It was better to wait and see the effect of tho new war regulations, because there was nothing that would more irritato a certain class of the community than to see armed men walking about. Upon the (iuggestion or the chairman. the matter was dropped.