THE MINISTER FOR JUSTICE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 25, 23 February 1909, Page 2

THE MINISTER FOR JUSTICE

MODERNISING HIS DKPAUTMKXTS. By Telegraph.-Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The. Minister fur Justice (lion. Dr. Kindlny) and the Commissioner (M.r N. Dinnic) are busily engaged at present in revising the police regulations, which date back some 25 or 'lO years. One imImediate effect of the revision was the promotion of a chief uv'ieocive t.viv. Mc(irath) to the position of sub-inspector. "] propose to treat the two branches of the service as one," said the Minister in conversation with a Post reporter. "If a chief detective has tile necessary qualifications, his promotion to a subinspectorship will be as possible as tile promotion of a mini in the other branch of the service." " I am not saying;' lie added, " that the practice previously in vogue of treating the detective brunch as a separate entity entirely imposed any hardship. I do 7101 know whether any liunlhliip resulted; but it is only fair to the Commissioner to say that lie

himself recognised the fairness and advisability of this course being taken." " The subject of prison reform is taking up a large portion of my time at present," said Hie Minister. He added that he had now made a careful and ('X.-( ■ liaustive inspection of the prisons in the four centres, and is now devising a ; scheme of classification which he proposes to liavc thoroughly criticised by i experts, and fmnlly submitted to the 1 flovornmenf, for consideration. The Minister frankly acknowledges thai, the , problem is a most difficult one. but he j is busily engaged in making himself fa- ! miliar with tiro system in vogue in England) and America and elsewhere, mil ' with the theoretical and historical litera- ', tare on the subject.