PEACE COUNCIL MEETINGS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16568, 4 June 1914, Page 8

PEACE COUNCIL MEETINGS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—Why do the police allow Half a dozen well-fed and well-clothed yoarig men to come and disturb orderly meetings which some hundreds of Christchurch citizens are in the habit of attending on Saturday evenings in tho Square? The' speakers give up their leisure and home company to come and deliberate upon the compulsory Defence Act. If it is illegal or unpatriotic to speak against conscription, then it is equally wrong for the prohibitionists to speak against the three-fifths majority, which.is the law of the country. The speakers have offered their plat* form to the disturbers to air their.grievances, and to express their views in.a British manner, which is fair and impartial, but no, they are, as they say, out for fun. If they were irresponsible youths one could forgive them, but they are old enough to know .thai insults and rowdyism are no argument. Hooliganism is their only weapon of defence. I and several others offered to point out the six leaders, but the police could not or would not see anything. I know the speakers do not wish for any prosecutions to take plaice, but law and order must prevail, ano the police should see that justice il meted out to law-abiding citizens who meet to discuss the Defence Act or any other Act. * Hoping the police will recognise their duty in future.—l' am; etc, H.W.R.