THE POLICE FORCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 232, 5 November 1909, Page 4

THE POLICE FORCE.

Mil. OIXNIK'S REPORT. INCREASE IN UURULARY AND THEFT. The annual report on the police force of the Dominion stales that the number of offence* reported to the police during l!l()S showed an increase of 300 on those of 1 [11)7. The proportion of offences to the population was 2.33 per cent. Inst year, as against 2.37 during 1907. The principal increases during last year wen- in burglary (12G). deserting and failing to provide for and children drunkenness M-ID). and theft <228). The principal decreases were com. com peace U'lsl. and trespass (107). The report states the increase (12G) in the number of burglary cases and theft (228) has resulted partly through the mllnx to the Dominion of an unusual number of Australian criminals and partly to the licensing of bookmakers and the indiscriminate granting of betting licensee; by racing authorities, which has induced a number of Australian undesirable* to become bookmakers, who, with their followers, when not engaged In bookmaking. resort to crime. Juvenile MYendevN are responsible for many of these o.ll'ences.

In regard to the discipline ami efficiency of the force, the Commissioner, Mr. Dinnie, whose report bears the date of .Tune -1 last, remarks:—"lt cannot be (hat egotism is my forte, but I do (laini that the police force of the Dominion compares most favourably with any other police force, and that our erstem

ts superior to many, and T say so with n varied knowlerge of police forces general!}' which few possess. Anonymous press correspondents have occasionally commented diparaginglv in respect to the nrj*anisution, etc., of tlio force, liut as flic source from which such eomnienlij emanated was apparent, and tlic motive a personal and a vindictive one, intonded to mislead (he, public, their attempts to (lrcr.v the Department were treaM 'wth silent contempt. A satisfactory explanation of any representation made detrimental to the .force is always avail. rc< l"' rt '<l V proper author-

The report contains the following puraftraph in reijard to offensive pnlilications 'For some years past (Here hj«« he,.,, 'i nolirr-rWe development in a seclion of <"e press ~f a (v,,,, „f j mnml ~,| lotallv nnlit for nnhlici- ;"" -"•U'h- ■h i- a ,iu ani!l . |„ .P 1 of the Dominion. 1| wiii'ds!> ■iPlllcipalli,.f exlraels specially selecl--.| ■ 'in Piiln-e. Supreme. mid niv,,r,-e ( " , , lrl I"''"' '"ins. dealimr with "''l sexual (.H'enccs. which arc cn„„„c„|. '•'l nn will, no regard to social '! T' h'jlislalion secnis neci's. "My m order to suppress a |j v | lf .i. ri'pt journalism.''