THE POLICE.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1900, 7 November 1913, Page 6

THE POLICE.

Wb have received so' many complaints regarding tho apathy of the police during the cowardly sto'ne-thr-owing at the Mounted' Special Constables on Wednesday last that we feel called on to again refer to the matter, It will be. remembered that at an early stage of the strike disorders., in consequence of the pluck and determination, of a number of the regular police, wo made very complimentary reference to the manner in which they were performing their duty. A notable example was the defence of Messrs. Whitcombe and Tombs' promises. Since then we regret to say there have been a number of instances when members of the Force have plainly shirked their duty. The result of these eases has been that citizen's have had their confidence in the Police Force seriously shaken. We fully believe, in fact we e-an say with confidence, that- the Force a,s a whole is thoroughly loyal, to the public, and is prepared to do its duty honestly and to the best of its ability. Tho great bulk of the men have been on duty exception* ally long hours, and have been zealous and uncomplaining in the carrying out of a difficult task. It, would be the rankest' injustice to associate these inen with the shirkers. That there is an element in tho ranks of the Force which is either in sympathy with tho strikers and their lawlessness, or too cowardly to do their duty, we regret to say is an undoubted fact. Many reputable citizens have reported to us incidents which could have- only one interpretation, and we arc assured that in some cases the numbers of the constables were taken, and that identification is pos- ; sible. It is as much in the inter- ■ csts of the Force itself as it is neces- : sary for the public welfare that wherever definite proof is forthcoming these men should be dismissed from the Fora?. New Zealand hasi been very fortunate in its Police Force, and, as wo have stated, the great bulk of its members now fully deserve the respect and confidence of the public. But such an emergency as the present outbreak of lawlessness finds out the weak spots, and tho Commissioner and the Minister of Justice, wo have no doubt, will not hesitate for one moment to take such action as may. bo necessary to rid the jWco. of any of its members who can be shown to have betrayed the trust reposed in them.