POLICE FORCE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1743, 7 May 1913, Page 8

POLICE FORCE.

MINISTER'S PLAIN WORDS. 1 : JUNIOR MALCONTENTS. REBELLION TO BE FIRMLy MET. IMPORTANT STATEMENT. The Hon. A. L. Herdman made a statement to a Dominion reporter last .evenins on the subject of reported discontent in the Police Force. "If the state of affaire at Auckland, as reported in the local papers, is true," said tho Minister, "then the. position is serious, and will necessitate firm handling immediately. I cannot very well understand the (present alleged unrest, and I don't believe 'that it is widespread. From what has appeared in the press I gather that Mr. Eosser, a well-known figure in Auckland Labour ciroles, has been getting into (ouch with the junior men with a view of forming an association. Her© is a specimen of a cord which has been in circulation amongst members of the Auckland Police Force." . The card produced by the Minister reads as follows: —Application for membership. I hereby mako application to be enrolled a member of the N.Z. Police Association (Auckland branch). Spaces are left for "date," "name," and "address of station," and at the bottom of the card is a notice: "Post to A. Eosser, organiser, Trades Hall, Auckland."- 'The imprint ,Is "•'.Worker', Typ." v / . A Plain Declaration. "I may say at once," continued tho Minister, "that this sort of thing twill not be tolerated. In tho event of any Labour trouble happening in New Zealand the police must bo under the direct control of the Commissioner and tho Government. So it may as well be understood quite clearly now that I shall not permit Mr. Eosser or any. other Labour leader to interfere with' the discipline of it ho force or to sow tho seeds of discontent amongst its members. Every facility ■ will bo given and has,been given to members of tho forco to state grievances. At marades held at Auckland, Christehurch, Dunedin, Wellington, and other places I have urged tho men to speak out, Dut very few camo forward, and those who did interview mo had no serious complaints to make.. ' "Since then," added Mr. Herdman, "with a view of getting at tho rott of tho trouble, I instructed, the Commissioner to visit the four chief centres for the purpose of getting clear statements about discontent. At'each ' place shorthand notes were takeu, and I have now in my possession tho Wellington and Auckland reports. Tho Dunedin and Christehurch reports have not yet como to hand, and for these lam waiting. Mr. Cullen returned from this tour of' inspection ' on Sunday morning, and goes on again to Auckland to-morrow. The principal questions which appear to have been dealt with are: Pay. tho making up of uniforms, the supply of boots, Sunday leave, time off for : attending Court, increased house allowances to married constables, and tho unsatisfactory quarters at Lambton Qiiay. These will all bo considered and dealt with as soon as tho manuscript •containing the Christchnrch and'Dunedin evidence comes to hand.

Incomprehensible Conduct. "Some members of the police at Auckland apparently don't mean to wait until the Government havo hod an opportunity of considering the statements from ,all parts of New' Zealand" remarked the,' Minister. •„ "Having stated their gricvi ances, they continue to agitate without; waiting for any reply, from tho Government. Their conduct ia quite incompre-, heusilite. Reasonablo grievances will al-' ways bo considered and remedied if possible, but rebellion won't bo put up with.: Since tho AVnihi trouble a •■steady effort' Ims Seen mado to sow discontent iii the ranks of the police. The only protection that tho people of, a country havo iu times of industrial trouble is the police. In the past they have always been loyal," and a credit to the country. I am sure -that the great bulk of tho force is still faithful, but there are not wanting indications of the presence in the ranks of junior men who are prepared to mako use of the Labour agitator for tho purpose ,of. fomenting dislovaltv and strife. In justice to tho older men of tho force, I should say .that th<? men who ore taking part in the present agitation have only short service, a considerable number having served less than a year. Tho chief disturbers are really in their apprenticeship.

What the Government Has Done. "In tho ten months that the present Government . has been in power," the . Minister went on to remark', "a great deal ha 9 been done to put .the force upon a proper footing,, and this notwithstanding tho absence of Commissioner Cullen at Waihi. New regulations liavo been issued, a uew scalo of pay has been devised, and anomalies have been removed. More comfortable uniforms- have teen provided, and a new Police Force Act has been drafted and is ready for sub'w mission. Moro still will be done to improve conditions, but reasonable time must be allowed, and' a certain amountDf patience must bo exhibited. I am going to Auckland on Thursday to open the Public Trust Office, and, to investigate the -polico trouble -myself. No doubt, on my .'return,l shall navo somo more daßniro : .statement to make."