THE POLICE COMMISSION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 190, 15 September 1909, Page 2

THE POLICE COMMISSION.

AX ALLEGATION COMBATTED. By Tciegraph.-Preas Association. Wellington, Tuesday. The Police Commission resinned tllis morning. Constable Simpson controverted the statements ot' Mr. Arnold, M.l\, regarding the conduct of members of the lorce in Wellington.

Mr. Edwin Arnold, a visiting justice to the Wellington gaol, said, speaking with years oi experience, he did a>t kuow ol a singfe policeman who had e*er harassed uu ex-inmate of the gaolKcplying to u question, lie adiuiiU'd nc had Known ol ex-prisoner:: being di«-, missed ircMu employment without being aide to UM'crtaiii the reason. As tar a? uc Knew, me puiuv ol Wellington we v e a very line, honorable body ol men. Conflicting evidence was given by two or three witnesses concerning the quality of the physique of the proseni applicants compared with that of their predecessors years ago. Sergeant Miller, Masterton, said he had received assistance from Inspector Ellison in enforcing the licensing laws.

THE SECTARIAN QUESTION. I The sectarian question was raised at tlie Police Commission by Constable Simpson. He explained that he had asked for a return showing the numbers of Catholic d and Protestants in the various grades of the force and information about changes by members from one religion to another, but the details had not been given to him on the ground that he was a constable. He suggested that Protestants had not been treated as well as Catholics.

Commissioner Bishop said he deprecated in the strongest possible way going into this sectarian business. Witness replied: I say that we Protestants have been passed over. Mr. Bishop: Because of your religion f

Witness: I don't say that. Mr, Bishop: There you arc; you mu6t know if it is" a question of religion anl not of the merits of the men. ALLEGED DISCOURTESY. Wellington, Last Night. \ At the Police Commission Edward | Watson, who had complained that In- ! spcetor Ellison had treated him discourteously, was cross-examined by the inspector. Witness denied having gone to Inspector Ellison's office last Saturday night and endeavored to irritate Ellison so that ho might commit a breach of the peace.

Michael (Ireen, who iiad said the constables consulted the Chief Clerk instead of Commissioner Dinnie about promotion, admitted, in reply to questions by Commissioner Dinnic that these constables had not been promoted.

"A BREEZE."

AN M.P.'S RIGHTS.

Wellington, Last Night. Prior to the Policy Commission ad journfrg to-day there were prospects oi a " breeze," but the initial gust was tin worst and the gathering •storm 'passet away as speedily as it had appeared. Mr. K. A. Wright, M.l\, was' in at tendance, and bad been examining wit nesses. When he was dealing with th< last one on matters relating to t'iie Com missioner, Mr. Dimi»V questioned hi right to take part in the proceedings a he was doing. Mr. Bishop said he had ruled here a elsewhere that members of the Parlia ment were permitted by virtue of thei office to take part in the proceedings i tliev so desired.

Mr. Dinnie: It appears to me that he (Mr. Wright) lias come to persecute me. Mr. .Bishop: I would not allow anything of that sort. ■Mr. Dinnie: Well, a*at i» what is doing. Sir. Bishop said Mr, Wright had been asking questions relating to licenced houses.

•Mr. Dinnie: Now he is going into details that concern me.

Mr. Jtislmp: Surdv volt will give mo tilt- opportunity of satisfying myself that iiis questions nro proper ones. Mr. Wright: I understand I must not a>k a question that a fleets the Commissioner of Police personally. Air. Hisiiop: If you have any information in your possession which is a. reflection on Air. Dinnie, and will famish me with it, 1 will see lie gels notice as required under the order of reference. He is entitled to twenty-four hours' notice on matters which in any way reflect on 'him. as 011 any other member of the. force.

Mr. Wright: I only want to as>k the constable a question which I think Mr. Bishop: Immediately you do that the Commissioner can. say that this is a matter reflecting 011 him, and that he has a right to have notice of it. He must have notice of anything reflecting on him personally. 'Air. Wright: Will I be allowed toas.li questions when Air. Dinuie and SubInspector Wright are giving evidence? Mr. Bishop: Yetfj that's a different thing from asking questions of a constable about .his superior officers, as they have pointed out that all members of the force were in the same positron with regard to notice being required. Air. A\ right deferred any further examination of th ( > witness]