FOOT SPECIALS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 146, 17 December 1913, Page 8

FOOT SPECIALS

,■» 10 THE liDITOK. Sir,— l leavn from tho press that thft foot special constables at Auckland and Lyttelton are to bo paid for their Bervices. As a convincing argument against 1 the calumny and abuse levelled at us by a' section of the public and a certain typo of politician, 1 would suggest that the local body maintain their amateur status should any suggestion to the contrary bo proposed. VVo volunteered our services to tho general public and sought neither favour nor thanks from anyone, whether politician or capitalist, and aro prepared to do tho same should tho occasion ariso again.' — I am, etc., FOOT SPECIAL, No. 2 Squad. 16th Decomber, 1913.

■ The New Zealand Freedom League (says the Auckland Star) recently addressed a letter to the Secretary o£ State for the Colonies drawing attention to the I'act that the eniism H.M.S. Uyramus and 11. M.5. Psycho had respectively been berthed at th« wharves at Auckland and Wellington during tho existence of v wtrike, and had created resentment amongbt the htrikors. as woll iIH many other citizens as an unjustiii* able use of naval power on behalf of ona section of the community as against another. It wa« pointed out that at Auckland the ship's guns wore overlookin? the main street, and tho men paraded on the wharf with fixed bayonets, while at Wellington the men who paraded were served with 60 rounds of ball cartridge. "Many citizens of Auckland," the lettoc concludes, "are now desirous of ascertaining whether auoh use of His Majesty'i navy is in accordance with Admiralty regulations or sanctioned by any pro-perly-constituted authority, and whether the use of_ the ships in industrial - disturbances is sanctioned and approved by the Imperial Government?" • Tho .League has cabled to Lord Ha Mane expressing appreciation of his opposition, to compulsory military service, and declaring, "conscription is opposed to democratic progress, and wo arc convinced of its failure in Nesv Zealand." In addition, an illuminated address has been sent to President Woodrow Wilson, expressing the hope that he will uso every influence to prevent the forcing of conscription upon an unwilling people and punishing those whoso religious or conscientious views will not allow them to conform, and suggesting that on tho occasion of tho opening ol tho Panama, Canal a ship of the mercantile service op a mail boat be given preference to a vessel of war, which Btands for international diEtrust and destruction. At I.3ft p.m. to-morrow, Messrs. C. W. Pnop and Co. will hold an auction sale of fuinttuto ou th« premises, 90, JV«bb-J% •'rcct. »*