The Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 - 1929)(about) |
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Monday 5 November 1923
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ENROLMENT OF "SPECIALS." There was an exodus from the city and suburban picture theatres on Saturday night when the management flashed upon the screen "The Ministry asks all re- turned soldiers to rally round Gen. 'Pompey' Elliott at the Melbourne Town Hall to enrol as special constables and assist in preventing further looting in the city. There was a splendid response, and from 8 o'clock until midnight the town hall was the scene of unwonted activity, reminiscent of the early days of the war. More than 500 men were sworn in on Saturday night, and these were re- inforced throughout to-day, until over 2,000 specials had been enrolled. Of this number a large percentage comprised re- turned soldiers. They were issued with batons and arm and hat bands, and drafted into the city. They assisted ap- preciably in quelling the incipient riots of horseplay and larrikinism which occurred whenever the police were not present. The Royal Automobile Club of Vic- toria is organizing with the object of giving practical assistance to the autho- rities in supplementing the work of the special constabulary. To-night is was announced that the employes of one of the largest city motor services had re-
solved not to carry either the loyal police or the mutineers. One man ex- plained, "If we help the strikers we will be in trouble with the loyalists; and if we help the loyalists it will only be the reverse."