The Prohibition Convention and the Police.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 301, 26 June 1896, Page 2

The Prohibition Convention and the Police.

o (Per Press Association.) Wellington, June 24. A very large deputation from the Prohibition" Convention waited on the Premier this evening to lay before bim certain complaints against the police force of tbe colony. Several speakers spoke of the laxity of tibe administration of tbe licensing law, and the Convention considered tbe best means of dealing with the matter would be a Royal Commission. The Premier, in reply, said that so far as instructions from Government were concerned, the alleged laxity of the police force rested solely with the officers and men in the various places. The dereliction of duty on tbe part of police was severely dealt with. Because of the few cases of misconduct on the part of members of the force, it was impossible for him to say that the police were not carrying out their duties and allowed a certain class of tradesmen to violate the law. He could not, and did nob, admit that was correct. When he was Minister of Defence, he encouraged constables to be zealous in seeing the licensing law was complied with. He hoped the Legislature would put clubs under police control. He would take care that men who showed laxity in administering the licensing law would be shifted. It was tbe desire of himself and Government to Bee there was a compliance with the law. He would make the matter a Cabinet question, and tbe statements made by the deputation would be submitted to the Commissioner of Police for bis report. He was in favor of an amendment of the licensing law as proposed last session, and was prepared to stand by it, as he believed it was better to have this question settled definitely for all time. If a bill was passed by the House in the same form as last year, be believed it would have chance of passing the Legislative Council.