NELSON POLICE SCANDAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 405, 2 May 1902, Page 2

NELSON POLICE SCANDAL.

RELIGION DRAGGED INTO THE AFFAIR. [By Telegraph—Press Association.] Nelson, last night. A large and unanimous meeting was held to night to consider the matter of the recent local police changes. The Bishop of Nelson moved the first resolution : “ That the meeting deeply regrets the action of the Government in overriding the finding of the Commissioner of Police, by deciding to remove and disrate Sergeant Mackay, and calling on Constables Burrell aud Durbridge to resign, without first acceding to the request for a public enquiry into the charges made against them.” The Bishop said that thev were given to understand that the charges were trivial, and a suspicion ha 1 been aroußed which they wished to have removed. He could only see two two grounds on which the Government could have decided. One was that they had evidence which had not appeared, but if so it was strange that they were not told so. It seemed that Government had received pressure from one source or other. He alluded to the report to Parliament showing the religious beliefs of members of tho force, and indicating that one body was represented in the force out of proportion to its number. If that was tho case it was their business

to try and alter this. Other resolutions oxpressed appreciation of the officers and sympathy with those suffering by the injustice done them, not by the Commissioner, but by the refusal of the Government to grant a public enquiry. They protested against the Government coming to a decision on charges received in private. They thanked Mr Graham for his actions, and appointed a vigilance committee to act with him. There were many speakers, most of whom urged the necessity of protecting the freedom ot the people, and opposing men being tried aud punished save in open court, where the accusers could be faced. All tho speakers were loudly cheered.