THE POLICE FORCE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 70, 14 July 1914, Page 2

THE POLICE FORCE.

REPORT ON THE YEAR’S WORK. The annual report of the New Zealand Police Force was presented to Parliament on Friday afternoon by the Minister for Justice (Hon A. L. Herdman). The report states that the strength of the force on March 31 last I was H7U of all ranks, of whom 707 were constables. In a lengthy general statement the Commissioner (Mr John Cullen) reports that the conduct of members of the force has been, on the whole, very satisfactory during the year. Dealing with the strike period, he remarks, after detailing the injuries received I during the rioting by members of the force:—“The mounted and foot special constables who were called to the assistance in maintaining order, and during the time they were in the cities their conduct under all circumstances was most exemplary.” “The present strength of the force is not sufficient to enable me to adequately police certain cities and country places,” the Commissioner says. “Local bodies, private citizens and officers of the force make frequent appeals for more poljce, especially in the North Island centres where the population is increasing rapidly. lam asking that provision be made on this year’s Estimates for increasing the force by an additional fifty constables, and if this number is provided for it will be possible to meet the more urgent police needs of many localities.”

SLY-GHOG IN WELLINGTON. Dealing with sly-grog selling, the superintendent of the Wellington district says “Sly-grog traffic is an offence that gives a great deal oi trouble, and needs continual vigilance to keep in check. It is carried on in largo centres el population on Sundays when hotels are closed, as well as in no-license areas. There is probably no offence in which more ingenuity is exercised in order to defeat the law, and many people who would give evidence regarding ordinary offences would never think oi doing so in regard to this traffic, whilst many persons would go out ot their way to shield or give warning to sly-grog dealers. In detecting tins class of offence it is often necessary to have recourse to so much subterfuge ami evasion as to make the work exceedingly unpleasant, or even offensive, to some men. Indeed, it rerun res special tact and skill to outwit clover offenders in this unsavory trade. Small penalties such as have been recorded in some localities only act as encourage, mold to offenders of this class,because they can easily afford small monetary penalties where the trade is flourishing, and a small line having been recorded in court is a good advertisement by directing thirsty persons to the places where their drought can be relieved,”