LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 198, 10 May 1918, Page 6

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

STRENGTHENING THE POLICE

A SUGGESTION FOR THE MINISTER

Sir,—l have ofteu wondered why tny police should so oiten be left to cope with disorderly persons very many times their number and so asked -o do the impossible. The reply will, ol course, bo: it would be, too much a tax on the country, especially at the present to increase their number. But 1 have iou,j felt tlut something vory oeniute shouiU be done to secure that an efficient auxiliary force be at cail to assist in times of need aiid so nip tlio trouble in us bud, and 1 feel that many would be giau to give a hand in such work il properly organised and receive a status m tile community.

.how would it do to organise sucii an auxiliary in two sections!' Une to he composed of men wiio would sieep at uie police station, and the other of those wiio would sleep at home, to be called up if the first class were insufficient; in tlio day ail such persons to carry on their ordinary callings, but whose place of work was w.ell known to the Police Department. Some would probably do such work voluntarily, others .might have u sniali remuneration, e.g., iliose who by having a room to sleep iu at the police station would receive such gratis in return tor whatever services they might be required to perform in extraordinary circumstances.

If in this w.ay ine per cent, of the community were enrolled and taught sucl discipline as would secure efficient help, there would always be at hand sufficient men to cope with such troubles as have disgraced Wellington on Anzau Day, and Christchurcli when the Second Division were being enrolled, and which is always the dread of police on tlie West Coast.

Of course, this would all be obviated if our Dominion had the pluck to turn out neck and crop that fruitful source of all trouble which the U.S.A. and Canada have done, for it lias everywhere been shown that four out of five troubles are directly attributable, to drink, and where this has been abolished the police force has been reduced, prisons often closed, the inmates of hospitals, both mental and for sickness, steadily decreased, and by many wasters becoming home-builders the lowdy element reduced to helplessness by paucity of numbers. In this way also many now; quite unfit to go and fight for their country would soon be fit for anything. Thanking you in anticipation,—l am, etc., FRED. H. SPENCER. Wanganui, May 8.