THE POLICE FARCE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1354, 3 February 1912, Page 14

THE POLICE FARCE.

Sir,—ln your to-day's issue a letter appears, signed "Reform Wanted." I quite agree with some of his remarks. The late St. John Brannigan and the late Q. It. Weddan were both able men as Commissioners of Police. Directly Colonel Hume was appointed Commissioner of Police, the whole of the police force became a mass of discontent through the appointment of Colonel Hume, ho being totally without experience for such an important position, and being also Inspector of prisons. At the time Colonel Hume was appointed, the Scddon-cum-Ward Government was not in power. I pointed out to the late Mr. Cadman, who was Minister for Justice in 1892, that it was a wrong thing to havo a man like, Colonel Hume holding two appointments.In the first place, all reports about prisonera and petitions came through the Prison and Police Department. The unfortunate prisoner at that time was entirely left in the hands of Colonel Hume. Sir, what do we havo now?—a Gaol Board, which is only a farce. The most remarkable appointments that havo been made in my own opinion, was tho appointment of tho Chief Justice, Sir Robert Stout, as chairman—a most nnheard-of appointment. In no part of tho British Empire should a Judge of the Supreme Court be allowed to retain a seat on a Prison Board. It is degrading to the Judges and also unfair to tho public. When a Judge gives a prisoner a sentence, he should not, be placed in the position to prevent a man from getting his liberty. The Judge's report about any prisoner ought to bo sufficient without being a member of a Prison Board. Witli regard to the appointment of Mr. Tnnbridge as Commissioner of Police he was a man of great experience and thoroughly qualified as Commissioner of Police. I told Mr. Tuubridge in 1897, shortly after ho arrived, that unless he obeyed tho Minister for Justice and carried out orders of tho Cabinet and. the Minister in charge, that his time would be short in New Zealand. I also had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Dinnio, the late Commissioner of Police, and I repeated to Mr. Dinnie what I had. stated to Mr. Tuubridge in 1897. Sir, in my opinion, it seems strange to appoint Mr. Waldegrave Commissioner of Police—a man with no experience about police duties. The one-man police commission inquiry that Mr. Bishop conducted, was neither moro nor less than a farce, to cruel an able officer liko Mr. Dinnie. Mr. Waldegrave, the Commissioner of Police, was very kind to me. Under him my name was inserted in the Police Gazette for being fined one shilling and costs, namely, seven shillings, for obstructing the streets at Taumarunui when I made a public speech twelve months ago. The police watched me coming out of the Rotorua steamer on December 19 last, and gave me a summons to pay eight shillings. Two days after paying the money a gentleman told mc that my name was in the criminal list, namely, the Police Gazette, for the sum of eight shillings. When the question was asked in the House the Prime Minister, Sir J. G. Ward, replied that it was customary to do so. I sincerely hope Inspector Cullen or Inspector Ellison, or some other experienced man, will bo appointed Commissioner of Police, and that Mr. Massey, or whoever may be in power, will do more to protect the public than has been done in the past.—l am, etc., J. J. MEIKLE. January 30, 1912.