WELFARE OF POLICE

Chronicle (Levin), 2 October 1946, Page 5

WELFARE OF POLICE

— Press Association

— -----10. — - — . — Association Conference . /

By Telegraph-

WELLINGTON, Get. 1. Lniprovements in Bolice pay ;and the . acknowledgement -ef the 40 hour' week an ipriiic'iple., during the past year, -had ereated :a helpfu'l f ealing amongst all ranks with a corresponding -benefljt to the public, said Mr. J. M. Fointon, president of the N.Z. Bolice Association, at •the opening of the 11th -annual confereiice in Wellington today. Mr. Boimton, conveyed the thanks of the association to the Minist'er of Bolice-, Mr. Frager^ •and GoiumissiOher J-. Cummings. Mr. Pointon said mueh had yet to be done in regard to housing. The iniproveme'nt in communications 'had resulted in the triore effective detection and preve'ntioh. of crime -and this reflected credit on the Oommissioner. The presi'dent referred to the payrnent of death and sickness beiiehts -and said the Association looked for the 35 year retirement p'lan being written into the law. / Mr. Fraser said ihe police building programme was one of utmost importance. fciteps wei'e being taken-to pVovide up to date accommodation and the rebuildiug of the Auckland station would be undertaken soon. He referred to the need for other buildings. There was no la'ck of goodwill and determination on the part of the Government. What was wanted was men and materials. The Force had come through the strain of the war. years with credit, said Mr. Frase'r. He iiad felt proud when he had spoken in the House as Member in charge of the Department. Since the end of the war the department had to deal with a reerudoscence of certain types of crime whien seeined inseparable from the war period. Mr. Fraser referred to the establishment of the Police Association 10 years ago 'and said it gave him satisf action that he had recommended the formation to his Government. He was satislied Ihe association could do a tremendous aniount of good. Referriug to the installation of more inodern methods of communication, the Prime Minister complimented the Commissioner on his enterprise in the introduction of the teletype, the improvement in the police laboratory and ballistics departments. "The Police Force . has never been better equipped and -has •never stood higher in the public estimation," he said. The strength of the Force at the -end of 1939 was 1445. Today it stood at 1471, said the Oommissioner. He hau autliority for an increase up to Mafch 31, 1947, to 15G2. By comparison with police forces overseas he considered the remuneration was good. Mr. Cummings referred to the co-operation of the Govei'nment in regard to housing. Whatever could be done in the way of rebuilding and renovation would be done. Mr. Cummings paid tribute to the representations made by the Police Association and stressed Ihe necessity for members of the force giving undivided attention to the deteetion and prevention of crime. Telej>rinters were not yet available at all .centres but provision would be made as soon as possible. On the questiou of wireless conununication, Mr. Cummings said he was anxious to have three-way communication. It had not been as easv to obtain suitable new cars but it was hoped these would be available by the beginning of nex't year. >Serviee to the public wTas the main function of the police and what it had "to sell". Service was what the public wanted and >vhat the force should give. The present rate of promotion in the service xvas better than any he knewT of.