POLICE AND THEIR PAY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8354, 14 February 1913, Page 6

POLICE AND THEIR PAY

life were pleased yesterday to publish a further statement by the Hon. A. L. Herdman, Minister of Justice, concerning the pay of the police force. We had commented on the fact that the new regulations, coming into force on April Ist, provide for well-deserved and quite moderate increments -for practically all branches of the force except the rank and file, ordinary constables remaining at 8s to 10s 6d a day, according to length of service. Mr Herdman’s explanation is not without some weight, and we desire once more to do him the justice of saying that the new .arrangements reflect credit upon his constructive ability and manifest a desire for improvement. Briefly, the Minister’s reply is that the 8s per diem is supplemented by free lodging, fuel, and light in respect of single men and a house allowance of Is 6d a day to married men. Wo are glad to know that tho circumstances of police constables are bettor than appeared to he the caSo —that the bare 8s is not all their remuneration. All the same, wo should have preferred to have seen them given a moderate increase , together - with their superiors. Mr Herdman’s plea that the expenditure involved would bo too great is one that need not be taken seriously. If the men are adequately paid, there is not the slightest occasion to worry about how much it would cost in the bulk to give them a trifle more. If they are not, an annual appropriation of £BOOO (Mr Herdmau’s outside estimate) cannot be regarded as an obstacle. With all the allowances and special emoluments mentioned by the Minister as compensating for tho roeagreness of tho net wage, we believe the rate is not commensurate with ■ the 1 quantity and quality of service demanded. It is important to tho public that a desirable class of men should he encouraged to enlist in the police force —men of physique, intelligence, and integrity —and that they should bo contented in their useful and important sphere of duty. On the whole, as Mr Herdman carefully observes, tho character of the New Zealand police is commendable. The Minister’s remarks in that connection may be cordially endorsed, and it is fair to do so. Nevertheless, the cost of living has been steadily rising in recent years, and while workers in various grades of employment have been able to partly meet tho difficulty by securing higher reward lor their labour, policemen and others similarly circumstanced have to rely upon the goodwill and consideration of Ministerial heads. The particulars Mr Herdman has furnished of police pay in the different States of Australia are interesting, but that is all. The fact that a constable receives the miserable pittance of 6s 6d a day in Tasmania, for Instance, is no reason, or shadow ot reason, why the Now Zealander should be kept down to Bs. ft is rather an indication that a more Liberal Government is needed in the apple island, which is the last stronghold of Toryism in Australasia.