A FINAL WARNING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15096, 12 September 1912, Page 8

A FINAL WARNING.

INTENTIONS, OF POLICE.

TO SEE THE STRIKE OUT.

MORE DRASTIC STEPS.

WORKERS TO BE PROTECTED

[BY . TELEGRAPH.OWN CORRESPONDENT.

Waiici, Wednesday. Although there was no opportunity during the day for the reading, of a statement prepared by Mr. Mays relative to the attitude of the Government and the police authorities towards the strike, the document will in duo. course be read In Court- A copy of tho statement was handed to the press : representatives for publication, and its contents . make it quite clear that nothing will bo left undone in the shape of preserving peace and order, and in the protection of men who may seek work in the affected area. The full text of the statement is as follows: "In the majority of cases the presont proceedings have been of a preventive, and not of a punitive, character. Applications for sureties of the peace constitute the mildest form of dealing with the situation, and proceedings in this form have been taken by tho Government for two reasons: (1) That up to the present juncture the strikers have behaved well, and (2) it i.< desired to give all persons concerned a warning unmistakable and absolutely final. "I am instructed by the commissioner of police to say authoratively that it is obvious that the most critical stage of the strike has been reached, and it. is now to be clearly understood that the police will remain here until the strike- is over. Not only that, but there is a very large body of police (150 strong) at instant call, and if necessary, they will be brought here and the whole of them assembled on the spot within 24 hours. Tho police will protect every man who wishes to work, whatever bo his calling, and whether ho be a fcdorationist, arbitrationist, or whatever bo his views. Ono thing is certain, and that is the Government is determined to maintain law and order.

"The strikers are warned that should they repeat their tactics of the. past few days proceedings of a far more, drastic character will ensue. They will be charged indictablv, and imprisonment will probably follow conviction. Let it be remembered that from now onwards no man can plead that he has not inid fair warning. • < "It has been lreely slated by some strikers against whom charges have been preferred that in the- event of conviction they will positively refuse to lind sureties to keep tho peace, even though, the bonds may be comparatively small. If this decision is adhered to, and convictions are recorded,- the only alternative will be the imprisonment oi' those who refuse to find sureties."