THE POLICE INQUIRY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 137, 8 July 1909, Page 2

THE POLICE INQUIRY.

. MINISTERIAL FRANKNESS. POLICE WITNESSES INDEMNIFIED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Invcrcnrgill, Last Night. Mr. H. W. Bhvhoji, Police Oonimissioner, bus received the following Iclcgram from the Minister of Justice, and liesires it to be brought under the notice of every police officer in the Dominion: —"For the purpose of ensuring that every police officer who gives evidence before the Commission should do s" freely and without possible fear of consequences of his evidence, should it be adverse to the administration of the Department, I, as Minister of Justice, desire you to give an assurance that the giving of such evidence will not be allowed to prejudice in any way the career in the police force, of any such officers, provided, of course, that in your as Commissioner s'uch evidence is not givea falsely or in bad faith." OPENING OF THE PROCEEDINGS. Inveicargill, Wednesday. •Mr. Bishop, S.H., opened the police enquiry to-day. Commissioner Dinnic | was present on behnlf of the Department and read the letter he had received from the Minister asking that in view of the serious and reckless charges which were brought against himself and the Police Department by certain mem- : hers' of Parliament; that an independ- . ent tribunal be appointed to investigate and report, and that the result be made public through the Press. ' Mr. Bishop said no specilic allegations • had been made to him, and he knew no- ■ thing of the matter referred, to by Mr. . Dinnie, except through Hansard and the I Press. He would send notice to mem- ' bcr of Parliament to attend and give ■' the Commission the information that , might be in their possession. , Constable Scanilre.tt, the first witness, said the pay was insufficient considering the nature of the work and risks ' run. The cost ot living had risen eon- • sidcrably. The conduct of the men here - was exemplary, the physique satisfacr lory, and there was no insobriety. Some . time ago there was a case, and the men v were removed from the force. He knew " of no cases of political inlluencc. ' He I had heard the same class of men did y not enter the force as formerly, and attributed it to poor pay. II SERIOUS CHARGES AGAINST A '- POLITICIAN.

Invercargill, Last Night. _ Au application to give evidence in oounection with service in the Armed Constabulary, counting for pension, was refused on the ground that it did not come within the scope of the Commission. Evidence was given by one constable, appointed as delegate to bring certain general matters under the notice of the Commission. These comprised statethat the pay of police 'was inj adequate. Recompense, for services rendered and house allowance were also said to be inadequate. Witness asked that railway concessions be given to police on holiday leave. He was unable to give evidence in regard to the I sobriety or otherwise of members of the I force or of theit obligations in regard to political inlluenre, and was perfectly satisfied with the system of promotion. The most important evidence was | that of Constable Council, of the local force, who is a dis-rated detective. He stated that he had HI years' service—being for six years acting-detective and two years' detective. .He had spent 11 years at Lyttelton, having been appointed on account of thieving at the wharf there. Witness also alleged that steps were taken by Mr. Laurcuson, Mil 1 ., under pressure from his constituents, to have witness removed from Lyttelton, because, as he said, he was' too successful for the comfort of the constituents aforesaid. Witness alleged that Mr. Laurcuson had actually said to him privately that before he came constituents could furnish their houses and provide boots and clothing from the ships in port. Subsequently witness was removed to Christchurch as acting-detec-tive, and afterwards detective, but was reported for trifling offences, and was transferred to the city of Dunedin, where he was subsequently disrated, alleging that no opportunity had been given him for answering the charges of neglect of duty made against him. (t hud been alleged that he had been drunk, but he had never been drunk in his life.' He had three weeks' uniform duty in Dunedin and then was shifted to Invercargill. He considered his treatment was cruel and unjust. The ease will be further considered when the Departmental files come before the Commission, Council privately submitted to the Commission the name of one detective who, he alleged, was in the habit of getting drunk. Inspector Mitchell gave a verv favorable report of liis district. Me' considered the difficulty of procurin-r recruits was due to the too high education lest, winch blocked a desirable class of candidates from the country. It could be by no means contended that a higher education standard could .make a man a better constable. He endorsed the system of promotion. In reference to the headquarters' staff, he thought it not desirable that in the absence of lie Commissioner «. sub-inspector should have power to assume, the duties which made it necessary for him to dictate to men holding higher rank. The Commission will sit again to-mor-row.