POLICE GRIEVANCES.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1748, 13 May 1913, Page 6

POLICE GRIEVANCES.

AUCKLAND POSITION. MR. HERDMAN MEETS THE MEN. v (By TelcEraph.—Press Association.) Auckland, May 12. A statement regarding tho grievances ventilated by members of tho Police Force, and concerning the formation of nil association of its members, will be made by the Minister for Justice, the Hon. A. L. Herdman, on his return to Wellington. Ho informed a reporter this evening that until he has perused tlic reports furnished to him by the Commissioner of Police upon inquiries made in the four centres, he cannot discuss tho matter.

Between iO and GO constables met the Minister at tho city station this afternoon, but, according lo tho statement mado by Mr. Herdman afterwards, the meeting did not disclose any new developments. Five or six men addressed the Minister, but their complaints were personal. and not general. One man asked whether tho association formed by tho moil would be allowed to continue, and Mr. Herdman made it clear that no organisation of the kind would bo tolerated. lie assured the men that he would not allow any labour leader to interfere with the discipline of the force or to sow discontent among its members He stated, however, that the men would have full liberty to incut in the billiardroom of tho station to discus 9 their affairs, and any spoke-man appointed to represent them would be received and consideration given to representations made by them. Mr. Herdman informed a reporter that he has agreed to receive tho Wellington detective force on his return, and beyond this interview has 110 further personal inquiries to make concerning tho condition of affairs in tho Police Force. POSITION IN DUNEDIN. Dunedin, May 12. Inquiries made amongst members of the local police force elicited information that there is no' understanding so far as they are concerned with the Auckland men in regard to tho formation of a New Zealand Policemen's Association. It was stated that no communication had been received from Auckland conveying an idea of what the aims of tho association were, and consequently the Otago policemen were quite in the dark as to the real objects. It was pointed out that tho northern men had placed themselves in a false position in their preliminary movement by not waiting until 1 all tho members of the force in New Zealand had been written to as to the constitution of tho association. While there might lie some grievances up north which were heavy it is felt in Otago 011 the other hand that the local men might not see eye to eye on other points being ventilated by the northerners. It was not denied that the Dunedin' men did have some grievances, neither was it denied that there was no possibility of having these ultimately remedied. A fow of tho "pinpricks," as they were termed by one man, were illustrated, and it was remarked that while taken singly there might not bo a great deal in them yet when they were added together a state of affairs existed .which should not prevail. It -was pointed out, however, that representations mado in the proper quarter had already brought about the remedy of one or two existing grievances. So far as any suggested understanding with tho Auckland men was concerned the position was that until tho local men knew exactly what tho association stood for, it could hardly rely 011 support from men in other centres, and then, of course, briefly stated one man, the final issuo wo would have to consider is tho fact tint wo are not rising constitutional methods to obtain redress.