"WHO DID IT?"

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11028, 17 March 1914, Page 8

"WHO DID IT?"

THE SPECIAL CONSTABLES. CITY COUNCIL WRANGLES. A MAYORAL EXPLANATION. The question of who culled for special constables (luring the recent strike and appointed Colons! C'halfey to the command was debated hotly in tho City Council last night, when there* was a distinct party cleavage. The. discussion was caused by tho receipt of n letter from Air E. F. Shadbolt, .stating that the- District Council of tho Social Democratic Party wished to know who was responsible for the. enrolment of special constables and tho appointment of Colonel Chaifey during tho recent industrial crisis. Councillor H. Hunter moved that the Town Clerk (should be instructed to inform the writer that the Christchurch Cifcv Council was not responsible for tho appointment of Colonel Cbaffey or the enrolment of. special constables. He said that this fact fibouid be placed on record, as Colonel Cbaffey had staled that he was appointed by tho civic authorities. Councillor J. M'Combs said that bo would second the motion if it was amended to road that neither the Mayor nor tho Council was responsible. 'The 'Mayor had given his assurance on that, point. - The .Mayor: When did you havetliat' assurance from the Mayor?

Councillor M'Combs replied that lie could not remember the date,, but, if it did not correctly state the position ho would not persevere with it. Councillor Rayward moved that tho letter should lie on the tabic. Councillor H. J. Otley said that the Council was dragging in matters that had nothing to do with the work of the Council.

Councillor F. Burgoyne replied heatcdly that the Social Democrats were citizens, and should bo dealt with fairly. as'thcy had asked a. fair question. " We do not know tho Social Democrats as citizens." said Councillor Sorensen, who snid that the Council mu;->t-steer clear of political bodies. Councillor J. M'Cullough said that the statement bad been made that the troops were appointed by the civic authorities. "Who were tlio civic authorities ? .They were either tho Slay or or-j Councillors. " They are ashamed to come to light," said Councillor M'Combs. Councillor Hayward said that since Councillor M'Combs had not succeeded in adding his reference to the Mayor he would withdraw his amendment. Councillor W. Miller made a, few heated observations in which he deterred to Councillor Sorensen as a " iossil." which he had to withdraw, and to the special constables as " country bumpkins." Councillor Hayward said that this was an insult to men who had come forwaj'd to protect tho city during a time of disorder. Councillor Miller replied that there was no disorder. The Mayor said that he would make a. statement on the subject, but be would not reveal all he knew. He haci received a number of anonymous letters from persons too cowardly to v gn their names, threatening to hum his house, waylay him aim threatening all sorts of dire'calamities before the special constables- were appointed, lie was not going to divulgo any information that was likely to call down on other citizens such insulting letters; bill 'everybody knew -that he as Mayor had advertised for citizens prepared to enrol as special constables. The matt ter had been discussed a. month ago, and those-behind it only wished him to implicate other citizens. Before ho Im> trayed the confidences of citizens be would resign his position, and lw hoped the motion would be thrown out. -t was a shame that such matters shou.cl be brought up at election time. Councillor Hunter said that the Mayor had ruled' the matter out, and burked discussion when it was up a month-ago. As a-citizen lie "had a right to discuss tho matter.' '' As a member of tho Strike Comraittee.'' said the Mayor, " you cannot dissociate the two positions. Councillor Hunter said that, ho was out to uphold' responsible government; l and he was opposed to any Citizens' Committee, like the Black Hundred of Russia. A point of order was raised, and Councillor Hunter was asked. to confine himself to tho debate. Hq went on to say that he would' very much like to see the threatening letters that the Mayor had spoken of. There had been no disorder in Christehurch, and the snecials had ridden through Christchurch to create disorder, and only he and others had'prevented disorder. He added' that anybody who voted against the motion was upholding an untruth. " It is an untruth," said the Mayor, "because the Mayor advertised for special constables." Councillor Hayward maintained that his amendment had not lapsed, and it was carried by ten votes to six,, the noes being Councillors Scott, M'Combs, M'Cullough, Hunter, Miller and Burgoyne. " Does that mean," said Councillor Burgoyne, " that we admit that we apnointed the specials?" "'No," said Councillor Sorensen, "it means that the- Social Democrats have no right to ask tho question."..