MISUSE OF FIREARMS.

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 April 1918, Page 2

MISUSE OF FIREARMS.

A PROTEST MEETING. HELD AT.RILNANGA.' ;■ (Contributed.) A public meeting"'called'for. the purpose of protesting- against the indiscriminate use oiSfirearms by individuals, and also to demand a public inquiry into the cause of the recent fire, was held in the Miners' Hall, Eunanga, last evening. There was a large crowd of citizens present. His Worship the Mayor (Mr H. Coppersmith) occupied the chair, and, in opening the meeting, stated it was called for the purpose of protesting against individuals being allowed to purchase and use firearms indiscriminately, also to protest against the slanderous statement made in connection with the recent fire. He had been approached by residents of standing in the community to call the meeting, and he deemed it his duty as Mayor to call the meeting and allow the'matter to be fully discussed. Protests had been made to him in connection with bad language and the flour-

ishing of revolvers. He along with the Town Clerk, Messrs Semple and Arbuckle, waited on the Inspector of Police and ascer- - tained the reason why permits had been issued id persons to carry firearms, also to purchase ammunition. He wished to state the deputation had been received courteously and the Inspector promptly collected all firearms obtainable. He stated he had a resolution drawn up, and called on Mr Semple to move the same. Mr Semple moved: "That this public meeting of Punanga citizens calls upon the authorities to make ilie most searching" inquiry into the cause, of the recent fire at Punanga on the grounds that baseless and false insinuations have been spread broadcast against certain citizens of this town. This meeting has also reasons to believe that a deeprooted conspiracy has been insidiously set on foot to try and couple the name of Labour with the policy of burning* and destruction, and in the interest of social peace and justice we demand the above inquiry, so that the blame, if any, can be attached to.the guilty person or persons. Mr Semple, after moving the resolution, said that lie would re~ frain from having anything to say on the matter of firearms out of respect for the Inspector of Police who had treated the deputation courteously and' promised to leave no stone unturned in having firearms collected by an officer of the law. This promise had been fulfilled and he did not wish to say anything further on the matter. He wished in fairness to the Inspector to state that bns&less charges had been made against certain members of the community that were totally unfounded. Certain statements had been made in connection with the recent fire, and he thought it was time this little A*illa»'e took a stand against the insidious conspiracy that had been purposely put on foot to vilKfy the Labour organisations. He had been connected with the trouble in attempting- to bring about an amicable settlement. He had lived there for about twelve, years ,and he had never figured in a Police Court for breaking 1 any civil law and he strongly condemned any attempt to couple this fire with organised Labour. Since his arrival in Runanga tq endeavour to settle the recent dispute and after arranging- with Mr Massey in Wellington to set up an independent chairman, whieh resulted in Mr Fielder, of the local Labour Bureau being appointed, and* after using every effort at his disposal in bringing about an honourable settlement and going so far as to pay some of the levies out of his own pocket, some of the disputants present at the Conference went so far as to complain to the Police that on the final discussion that he (the, speaker) used a threat, "that he would make things warm for them," and the facts of the case he would recent fire. If any person required the fact sof the case he would refer them to the chairman of the meeting, and he Avas willing to accept his decision as to threats of such a nature being used. The speaker went on to describe the circumstances in calling- the le,vy ami read extracts from Australia to prove the bona fides of same- .When they received the call they attempted in a small way to assist the poor unfortunate starving- women and children, and when men had received the protection of the organisation by way of working conditions, wages, etc., took up the stand and refused to hold out the hand of comradeship, fellowship and love and refused to subscribe to a fund for sustenance for their fellowcreatures across the water, he was sure they must be devoid of the milk of human kindness. Labour did not stand for burning and destruction and they did not advocate such barbarous systems. In conclusion, Mr Semple said he knew it was not necessary to advise the men and women present to refrain from indulginjr in unmanly or unwomanly tactics, but he knew that at times temptations were placed in their way. Mr J. Arbuckle, in seconding

the resolution, said? he bad much pleasure in supporting; same, and Knew it was no policy of any union to go in for, burning down houses. False statements had * made by some people' that they were afraid of their fives and these people had endeavoured in every manner possible to gull the public that the members, of the Union advocated violence. If any person wanted to know particulars about the recent conference with the men who refused to nay the levy they should ask-the chairman who presided, and he would give them the full facts of the case. He repudiated the slanderous statements made against the officers of the union, and stated they would not get, us capable me.n in New Zealand \anywhere to dp the work for the pay received. He gave a brief account, of the conditions in Australia- Wbembe visited Sydney representing the New Zealand miners, men who had-fought in Gallipoli and went through some of their bloodiest battles were ruthlessly victimised for standing shoulder to shoulder with their union comrades in the great industrial upheaval. When he, visited Sydney and during the conference arrangements had been made to send over 900 men to Queensland to obtain work. A good few of these men were married men, some with large families, a fid it was decided to call on the unionists of New Zealand for assistance. He was senary to think that when an honest working man called on his fellow men for assistance in the way of food for his starving wife and-children we had men in our midst who met the call with deaf ears and refused to respond to the call. He concluded by asking all the men present to be loyal to their organisation and to fight the good fight of Labour.

On tlie resolution being put to the meeting it was carried unanimously, not a vote being' recorded against it.

A further resolution was carried: "That this meeting empowers Mr J. O'Brien who is in Wellington representing *■ the Labour Representation Committee re Mr P. C. Webb, M.P., to wait upon Mr Wilford, the-Minis-ter for Justice, and place the full facts re the above matter.