Massey's Cossacks
/ˌmasɪz ˈkɒsaks
/plural noun NZ historical
Special constables drafted in to police mass demonstrations that took place during the general strike of 1913: he’d been one of Massey’s Cossacks during the waterfront strike...
- "Massey's Cossacks" were used to beat strikers into submission, including Frederick Evans, who died following a police beating.
- It marks one hundred years since the Great Strike and striking workers and Massey's Cossacks coming head to head on Wellington streets.
- It was the strike force of Massey's Cossacks that rode into town to teach the strikers a lesson.
Origin
Early 20th century: named after Prime Minister William Massey (1856–1925) and with reference to the constables' infamous baton-swinging horseback charges.