THE POLICE FORCE AND AGITATORS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1754, 20 May 1913, Page 8

THE POLICE FORCE AND AGITATORS.

MINISTER'S REMARKS.

STATEMENT TO BE MADE SOON. (By Telegraph.—Special Correspondent.) Auckland, May 19. Within a feiv days a statement will bo made by tlio Minister for Justice (the Hon. A. L. Herdman) regarding the grievances of which complaint has been made by members of the Police Force. Last evening the Minister passed through Auckland on his way from Rotorua to New Plymouth and Wellington, and, in discussing the subject of tho discontent among tho police, he said he would deal with tho matters brought under his notice by the police in tho various centres immediately he returned to Wellington.

Coloured Press Story. An article was published in a Wellington paper on Saturday describing tho discussion of the men's grievances between the Minister for Justice and members of the Police Force last week. While this report was, in substance, true, Mr. Herdman said it was in other respects grossly inaccurate. Obviously it was supplied by rome membsr of the force who was bent on creating trouble. Tho men could not have been met with greater fairness, or with more consideration tiian they received. At ths rccent interview every opportunity was given to them to state their grievances, and.llo obstacle was placed ill their way.

Agents at Work to Sap Efficiency. Mr. Herdman added that it was quito ckar to him that, cither insido the force or outside of it, there was someone determined to create disaffection. The cause of (lie trouble would have to be ascertained and removed. '"Dip Government has a duty to perform to the country as well as to tho police," tho Minister continued. "I am quite determined to deal fairly with tho natters which have been brought under my notice, but; while I am prepared to consider fairly legitimate grievances, I am also quite determined not to. put up with the eft'erts of anyone—whether he is in tho l'slico Force or outsido of it—to promote discontent or anything that is subversive of discipline. As I said when I met tho men in Auckland, tho complaints to which I listened will be dealt with when I return to Wellington.

Disturbance the Work of a Few. "It may interest the public to know," added the Minister, "that the great majority of the forco is satisfied with existing conditions. A few n»;n in Auckland (110 doubt urged on by some outsido influence) are creating all the disturbance."