THE POLICE STRIKE.

Evening Star, Issue 2907, 13 June 1872, Page 2

THE POLICE STRIKE.

To the Editor. ■ Sir, —With respect to the disorganization which lately occurred in the police force, and the action of the Government, it cannot be denied that the course pursued by the men was illadvised aud reprehensible; atthe same time it must be remembered it is matter of history that disorganisation will, and often has occurred, even amongst the most highly trained aud well disciplined armies under peculiar circumstances. We cannot fail in this instance to notice that the men had received provocation, aud that they acted under the influence of excitement, and whilst smarting from what they considered was an act t-f injustice, and not only that, but a slight upon them. Now admitting the wrongful act of insubordination, was it not countervailed by the many years of faithful service, which many of the men had rendered to the people of < -tago. Was it expedient (I understand the Executive are not guided by any principles of honor, the promises of gentlemen on the hustings were nob alwaye kept), to punish so severely this single act, and to count as nothing the faithful service of many years—the constitutions injured and impaired in the service of the Province ? Read the letter the Executive sent in answer to the first deputation, and then view their subsequent action on the submission of the men, founded on a miserable quibble of words and phrases—the submission, forsooth, should have been individual and not collective—when their very letter suggested a collective submission. Either the Executive have not studied English :«mpositiot orthat letter was written believing that no submission would be made, and they in consequence would not be called on to act further in the matter.

In my opinion the Commissioner and Government in this matter have acted illegally, contrary to the spirit of the Otago Police Ordinances, and to that spirit of justice which should actuate us all in matters both public and private. In cases of insubordination it is already indicated by the Ordinances tliat there shall be an inquiry, upon oath, before the Commissioner, and that from his decision appeal shall lie to the Superintendent in Council. Nothing of the sort has in this instance taken place. This dismissal was (the Ordinances being so interpreted) arbitrary, despotic, contrary to law upon the cx parte, statement of some third party, poossibly the Commissioner himself, who should have been the impartial judge of the evidence produced. And I say, if this is so, that the Commissioner has placed himself in such a position that we are justified in presuming that he feared an investigation upon oath, and that the Superintendent and Executive, by their action, hare shown that they are unfit to hold the reins of office, as they have bowed to and endorsed the wrongful act of tluCommissioner, their subordinate; and under'the pretence of meting out the strict measure of the law, have really aided and abetted an illegal and unconstitutional assumption of power and authority by one of their employes. The Superintendent and Executive, then, have done to those men an irreparable wrong in countenancing a denial to them of that justice which it was their boundeu duty to see accorded. If the men have erred, so have the Government. The men have acknowledged their fault. Let the Government do the same, make what reparation is in their power, defer to the wishes of the people, and reinstate the men they have wrongfully dismissed. Yours, &c., Ljjx. Dunedin, June 12.