LAW AND ORDER.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21646, 17 May 1932, Page 6

LAW AND ORDER.

Incidents following in the train of demonstrations that have put a strain upon the capacity of the police force in different centres to afford adequate protection to the community have revealed the existence in some quarters of an hostility to the special constables which seems explainable in only one way. The Christchurch tramway strike was productive of some discreditable illustrations in point. A case was mentioned in our columns yesterday in which a special constable was the victim of a cowardly assault, and threats against special constables and their families appear to have been not -infrequent. It has been, made evident, in short, that on the part of those who, for reasons which it scarcely seems necessary to examine, resent the temporary augmentation of the strength of the uniformed police force, a deliberate attempt has been made to intimidate the special constables and cause them to refrain, from fear of. the consequences, from the discharge of the duties they have been called upon to perform. The endeavour to cast opprobrium on the special constables and institute reprisals against them is a thoroughly deplorable symptom of a kind of feeling which, through the incitement of s speech, action and propaganda, is being deliberately fomented. It is difficult to believe that the display of opposition to the temporary police can be attributed to any material extent to a misconception of the position which they occupy. The special constables are not enrolled as strike-breakers, or as enemies of any class in the community save those against whom the regular police may have need of them as allies. They are enrolled to assist the regular police in the preservation of law and order, the protection of property, and the maintenance of the security and safety which every law-abiding individual in the community should be able to enjoy. So far from being the subject of abuse and opprobrium they are entitled to all credit for their public spirit in offering their services, without reward, for such a purpose. livery rightthinking person must welcome the evidence that has been afforded of the readiness of large numbers of citizens to undertake temporary police duty in the event of emergency. The only ground of objection to the special constables on the part of anybody must be that their existence represents an obstruction to the perpetration of acts and the "fulfilment of designs that are inimical to the public welfare. The merely foolish who permit themselves to be influenced by the misleading and inflammatory exhortations of irresponsible extremists would do well to bethink themselves seriously where they stand. The feeling that animates attempts to intimidate and cast odium upon those who are enrolled as special constables in order that they may assist in the preservation of law and order is a dangerous one. It affords proof of the existence in the community of an element which is in need of a very salutary check.