LONG-SERVICE PAY TO POLICE OFFICERS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 803, 7 September 1877, Page 3

LONG-SERVICE PAY TO POLICE OFFICERS.

‘ (From the Guardian.) 1 Wellington, August 30th. In the House to-day, Mr Pyke moved —“ That this House resolve itself into a committee of the whole to consider the advisability of presenting a respectful address to his Excellency the Governor praying that he will be pleased to place on the Supplementary Estimates a sum sufficient for the continuance of the ‘ longservice'’ pay to all police officers who have hitherto been in receipt of such pay in any part of New Zealand, inclusive of arrears now unpaid. ” He said he was very sorrv that he should have the necessity placed upon him of moving the motion at all He must say the gentlemen placed at the head of the Government could not be aware of the circumstances of the ease, or they would not have placed on him the necessity of moving the motion. He would explain the facts of the case. There were some four or five men—he did not think more—in Otago, and he did not know how many similar cases in the other Provinces, These men had rendered good and faithful service to the country, and in former years were rewarded by the Provincial Government for such service by extra pay beyond the ordinary pay of the men in their class of constabulary. In each case the ’pay was only granted after special inquiry into the merits of the case. Great alteration had been made in the constabulary system, and these men not only had their pay reduced, placing them on a level with the rawest recruit, but the extra pay which the Provincial Government had given in recognition of their services was taken from them. This in some cases amounted to as much as ss. a day, and this was through no fault or misconduct on their part, but simply because their services had been transferred from the Provincial to the Colonial Government. He was actually ashamed to have to advocate these claims in the House. Was he wrong when he characterised this as an act of cruel injustice? (Mr Reynolds: Hear, hear.) He was loth to think that Parliament would ever sanction such treatment ot mm who had spent their livisin the service of the country. One was one of the' immortal six hundred—the Light Brigade men —who, Stormed at with shot and shell Bravely they rode, and well, Into the jaws of death— Into the mouth of Hell; and this was their reward. Men who upheld the national flag and honour were now treated in an ineffably mean way in Otago. One policeman had perished in a snow storm at Maerewhenua Pass ; another died pf trichinae, caused by eating measly pork supplied by contractors. Ho felt it inenmhent upon him, having been an advocate of Abolition, to speak for these men, ns tbev could not sneak for themselves. He hoped the Government would not oppose bis motion ; and if they did, bo hoped the House would answer them—that they would not allow such an injustice to tried servants. The Premier said he could not agree with the motion. The police of Otago were no doubt a very effective body, and they had previously received a very high rate of pay —a rate of pay which it was not possible for the Colony to give now. It had, been shown by the same men enlisting for the lower rate of pay that equally good men could be obtained at more reasonable rates. (Mr Pyke; No.) Borne of the sergeants pf the Otago Police bad received, with allowances, between L2BO and L.300 a year. The Government was not prepared to pay such salaries, and were the House to agree to such a rate it would ho out ot all proportion to the rates ruling, in the other branches of the Civil Service. (Mr Pvke : It is a special case ) There was nothing to justify the Government in giving a higher rate of pay in Otago and Westland than in other parts of the Colonv. If any special case were shown, the Government would he willing to make special provision, hutnot in the way Mr Pyke pronosed. It was not right to have men under special regulations in the force. They had a right to take advantage of whatever retiring allowance they were entitled to, but if re-enlisted it must bp at the ordinary rates of pay. If men were to receive ss. a day extra, that would amount to L 75 a year, and would demoralise the force. The Government would be prepared to make inquiry in order to see what the snccial cases are. and then to submit to the House proposals for compensation at the same rate as Provincial officers whoso offices had been abolished. Would the hon. member accppt that ? Mr Manders hoped the motion would not be withdrawn. Dr Hodgkinson thought the conduct ot the Government shameful and monstrous. Men of the highest character, who had served the country in a most respectable capacity, were deprived of legitimate rewards by a change in the Constitution, and

while the Ministry wore depriving the men of this week)lied 2a. a day, they themselves were living in luxury in houses to which they wore not entitled, with a salary which the circumstances of the Colony could not justify. If the Ministers would make a small reduction in their own salaries, it would he sufficient to do these officers justice. He felt the strongest indignation against the Government. Mr Macondrew recommended Mr Pyko to accept the Premier’s proposal. . Sir George Grey also recommended the acceptance of the proposal. The proposed system might bo extended to other branches of the Civil Service. The Premier had laid down the principle that if ho could get good men at a cheap rate of pay he would do so. Let him apply that principle to the higher orders of the service. Let equal justice be done to all. Mr Pyke said he would accept the proposal, and would like some hon. member to move the adjournment of the question pending the inquiry of the Premier. Mr Gisborne promptly moved the adjournment until this day fortnight.— .Agreed to.