A CLEAN SLATE

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 72, 21 September 1912, Page 9

A CLEAN SLATE

FAIR OFFER BY THE POLICE POSITION AT WAIHI "HEROES" LEAVE FOR GAOL. (BT MLEOnAPH— SPECIAL TO THR MsT.) WAIHI, This Day. When the Magistrate (Mr. ¥razer) announced Ilia intention iti the concluding offensive behaviour cases to increase the sureties to £50, he added that he would yet further raise the amount, possibly to £100, if another batch came before him, and he would put the amount up every time. It was no good kicking against the law, for the law would always win, and if the amount of the sureties was raised the defendants would find some difficulty in obtaining such. If defendants had to stop in gaol for twelve months they would regret it all their lives. They could not say they had not got fair warning. The Magistrate added he was sorry the strike wks on and that the men had put up with suffering which equally effected those unfortunate people who were not on either side. He hoped that the strike would be brought to a speedy and honourable settlement. He would be only too glad to assist them in that connection and would hot grudge one Second of the time. The Magistrate said that there appeared to bo a fear amongst the men that other cases were pending. He wanted to remove that impression and stated that the police haa agreed not to prosecute further in regard to mat* ters happening to date. They would, therefore, start that day with a clean sheet and he hoped they would keep it clean. Only future breaches- would be dealt with. That was a fair offer by the police. Mr. Mays : We wipe the things bare to-day. This concluded the hearing of the strike cases.