WELL MERITED

NZ Truth, Issue 1188, 6 September 1928, Page 6

WELL MERITED

Increased Police Pay Very Timely

Coincidence play% many tricks, sometimes to ; our advantage, when the occurrence permits a faint twinge of gratification. To this elusive spirit we are grateful that it allowed our conviction? to fall parallel with those of the Minister of Justice m the matter of polloe pay. TT is somewhat unfortunate that at least' one metropolitan newspaper did not apprehend the potency of an argument for ' a well-equipped police force, maintained under equitable conditions and' remuneration.

At least, if the daily newspapers of this country did appreciate the cogency of such, a contention, they did not suffer their leader-writers forcibly to declare themselves on the question. One or two incoherent mumbles were observed m their leader columns, when, the Minister of Justice announced that the rank and file of New Zealand's constabulary were to receive an increase of one shilling per day m their wages— an attitude which smacks of shouting loud hosannas because of the good effects made manifest, instead of previously decrying a system which permitted men to work for comparative pittances. It is pleasant modestly to record that the whiplash criticism recently devoted by "N.Z. Truth" to a system which encouraged capable young poy lice officers to join Australian forces, where they are well treated and equally well, paid, " found an echq m the opinion and . subsequent recommendation of the Minister of Justice.

' The picture is not yet complete, however. I.

One serious gap m the; Canvas is the pending adjustment of superannuation,' to. enjoy the benefits ofx which a police officer must. patrol the weary beat .of crime investigation for 40 years, before he is entitled to enjoy the. privileges of the fund "to which he makes a weekly contribution.

The . Minister of. Justice recently made the somewhat nonchalant .pronouncement that "the question of amending the law m regard to superannuation, as it effects the polide force,, is under ' There is a faint suggestion of "filing-, .cabinets and pigeon-holes about this utterance, but '.no. doubt Cabinet will appreciate the electioneering value of being able to point out. what the, Reform Government has accomplished through its "'administration. /'■'. There is. no doubt, also, that the . Reform Government will, observe' : the stupidity m expecting a man at 65" yeare of age to quell the enterprise of potential criminals' It is anticipated that when the sub - j ect of compulsory retirement from the police fbrce .comes before , the consideration of Cabinet, those honorable gentlemen will obliterate the many weaknesses which "now exist.

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