A RELIGIOUS ISSUE.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 612, 15 September 1909, Page 8

A RELIGIOUS ISSUE.

CONSTABLE'S COMPLAINT. EEMGION AND PROMOTION. •The question of whether a policeman's religion makes any difference to his chance 9 of promotion was raised before the Police Commission yesterday. ■ ' .. , > . - -Constable William James Simpson, in charge at Day's Bay, said he had applied to Mr. Dinnie for a return showing the number of Roman Catholics and Protestants, respectively, who were inspectors of police, and the same •information regarding sub-inspectors, sergeants, and constables; also, the number of members of- the force who had changed their religion from Protestant to Catholic, and' vice versa, and their positions before and after the : change. Hβ had also asked for particulars regarding Inspector Mitchell and Sub-Inspec-tor Norwood, and he wished to compare these particulars with his own record to show that he was senior to both officers. Mr. Dinnio had refused to give the information, on the ground that the applicant was a constable. Witness wished to show that Protestants did not get a fair share of promotion.•• Out of 13 inspectors appointed in his time, only four wore Protestants. • " . .<■ Mr. Bishop: I don't know anything, about the religion of the bulk of tho force. What are you?—A Presbyterian. • . Do you thuft religion is a factor in making appointments?— Yes. ■ -.

Do you mean, that a man's religion should be taken into consideration in regard to promotions?—We, should get a fair show, all things being equal. : There were at present; only three Protestant inspectors (Messrs. Ellison, Black, and Gillies): out of nine, and the rest, were Koman Catholics. Among the-sub-he only knew of. two who , were Eoman Catholics, tut he had not got full information. ' '. . ■ ...

Mr. Bishop: Personally, I > deprecate altopother in the etTonrast possible way the introduction of this religions issue, .unless it is perfectly, dear that.it has been a factor, and : unless you are sure of your facts. Witness further said he was senior in service to Sub-Inspectors M'Grath, Norwood, and . Hendry, and to ail the chief detectives. He had, been recommended by Inspectors M'Govcrn and Gillies, and had as good a as any man' in the force. Ho recognised that he was now too old for promotion. Hβ had' , never known a man's position' advanced by being'■ a- : Free^ 1 mason. He was a-Freemason"himself .■ : The witnesses, Herbert, Fitzgerald, and Green, who had given tho strongest evidence against the administration of the force wore Eoman Catholics. He. believed they wanted io get Mr. Dinnio removed and a Boman Catbolio put in his place. _ , Mr. "Bishop: And ■ yet you • say the Eoman Catholics • are getting the promotion. I suppose you know that the man who made the complaints that caused this commission to bo held is not a Roman 'Catholic,,' but, far from it?—l know he's an Orangeman, but he was misinformed, and. made ■ use of. ' ■ . Mr. Dinnio produced files showing that there were two Roman Catholib and five Protestant sub-inspectors.. • ' ' ' '" "Mr. R;' A. Wright, M.P.,'asked if the witness contended that a. man • could get-promotion by changing his religion to Roman- Catholic • Witness said Inspector , Mitchell soon ran up to an inspectorship after he became a Boman Catholic. It was the opinion; of many in the foroe that religion had the effect referred to. The Roman Catholics were not better qualified than the Protestants. Witness, suggested tho possibility of: things being- done' at the,, suggestion of a Minister. -" ' . '". '•" '. To .Mr.' Dinnie: All the present' inspectors, except one, had been, appointed"before Mr. Dinnie's term of office. . ■ . • '.. ,'.■ ■■