LORD BYNG’S NEW JOB

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 396, 3 July 1928, Page 9

LORD BYNG’S NEW JOB

London Police Commissioner ANNOUNCEMENT IN COMMONS Barrage of Labour Questions (United P.A. —By Telegraph — Copyright) British Official Wireless (Australian Press Association.) Received 11.45 a.m. LONDON, Monday. THE Home Secretary, Sir William Joynson-Hicks, announced in the House of Commons that Sir William Horwood, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, had intimated early in the year an intention of retiring in the late autumn, on attaining the age of 60. The King had approved of the appointment of Viscount Byng of Vimy, to succeed Sir William Horwood.

The announcement of Viscount Byng’s appointment produced a storm of Labour questions. “Why was an army instead of a police officer chosen?” “Why was a man of 65 selected when his predecessor had resigned on

the attainment of the age limit of 60?” “Why was the appointment made before the inquiry into police methods was reported?” “What salary and pension would Viscount Byng receive?” Sir William Joynson-Hicks took full responsibility for the appointment. His only policy was to obtain the best man for the job. The recent inquiry in no wise impugned Sir William Horwood’s conduct. Viscount Byng made no stipulation regarding salary or pension, only insisting on his freedom to retire the moment he felt unequal to a task which he only accepted as a stern call of duty. Labour members Intimated that they would later oppose the appointment.