THE POLICE ASSOCIATION.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1754, 20 May 1913, Page 4

THE POLICE ASSOCIATION.

Sir,—My attention has been drawn to a sub-leader in your issue of May 7, in which you make an assertion thai is contrary to fact, in an article dealing with the recent formation of tho Auckland branch of tho New Zealand Police Association. In commenting on the issuing of application for membership cards to the members ol the Police l.'orce, which, when filled in'and signed, are to be wilt 11,0 'I'ratles Hall, Auckland, you sa.V, -I he application form, which bears tho imprint of 'The Worker,' (he produetimi ot tho '.Rod Federation,'" etc, this is where you havo jumped to a conclusion, and a wild jump at that. Jhc cards were printed bv "The Workor, whose registered office is at Ilobson hrieel, Auckland, and must not bo con- !.™ 't" 1 '' 1 • v;,ur Wellington bole noir the Maonland Worker," whoso registered oUice is at Wakefield Street, Wellington. \\ hen the Jlon. Mr. Hordnian ill rehearsing the articles of his belief! that Iho 'Fed Federation" were the instigators, of the formation of the J once Association, 1 marvelled at his assertion, and wondered wliero ho got his (lata. Alter rending your editorial written from a most imperfect knowledge of the situation, I marvel no longer; ho got it lrom I in; Dominion. Not only havo you gone wrong yourself, hut—moro serious still—you havo misled a Cabinet MilliNter. J.ho Rod Federation," as vou havo termed it, has quite enough sins ot its own to answer for without bavin" other peoples' sins thrown in as a makeweight. the Federation of Labour did not inspire tho formation; neither' did I for tho matter of. that: it was formed lrom within the force, and not from without; it was formed by the men concerned, driven to the action h.v treatment receueu from martinet officers under tho direct control of tho Commissioner. The federation of Labour knew nothing of the matter until it was made public through tho press. As to my own action in the matter, I have no misgivings in the part that I have taken. My advice and assistance was asked for by the men as a body, after they had initiated the proceedings, and I have merely acted as a. buffer between flic Commissioner and the constables who have had tho temerity to follow the example, set them by tli'o Scottish Police, and also tho New South Hales police, in lorming associations that _ havo been recognised by their respective Departments, and the New Zealand lolica Association has only been formed after tho men havo endeavoured to lay their grievances before their superior officers, and been cavalierly receiver conclusion let me adviso vou make sure of your foundation before you build your superstructure." 1 rusting that you will do me tho justice of making the correction asked for,— I am, etc.,

ARTHUR ROSSER. Auckland, May 16, 1913. TMr. Eosser's correction of our assumption'that the cards were printed at the Jlaoriland Worker" Office, whereas tho imprint they bore was that of "The Worker Office, Auckland, may appear of importance to him, and we are pleased to publish it as requested. It, however, is a.trifling point.]