The Daily News. TUESDAY, JUNE 5. INFLUENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 73, 5 July 1910, Page 4

The Daily News. TUESDAY, JUNE 5. INFLUENCE.

When the last Police Commission sat, the Commissioner (Mr. Bishop, S.M.) made strong complaints in regard to the use of political influence in the police force. It was then sought to prove that, on tha whole, the police force was not influenced largely by politicians or others outside it. The Dunedin Star, however, mentions a Christchurch case in. which the evidence of a politician's interference in a matter of no apparent concern to him seems to be proved. It is set out that a prominent citizen misbehaved himself, breaking the law. As soon as he was called to answer for his misconduct, it is alleged, he approached a member of Parliament. The member, out of pity for his friend, interfered on his behalf, approaching the police. It is stated that the police agreed to waive their right to proceed, as they would unquestionably have done had the alleged offender not had the influence he exerted. The Star points out that another member of Parliament, who evidently better understood the dignity of his position, at once communicated with the Department of Justice. If the facts are stated truly—and there seems to be po reason t6 doubt it—the politician, the police, and the man who approached the . politician are all equally culpable. The point for; tlie people is that their politicians, their police, and their public men generally should not only 'be above suspicion in all their actions, but should be examples of plain, : honest "straight-going - '' to the whole population. If the alleged leaders of the people are lax; if there is the slightest suspicion that they exert dishonestly the influence their positions give them, it naturally follows that such examples are pernicious, for man is very imitative, and ill-deeds are oftener imitated than good ones. We will assume that the hushing'-up of a scandal is effective, that the facts f are not divulged, and that the principals are neither disgraced nor 'punished. However honorable otherwise such principals may be, lit is reasonable that they might drift I into habits ,of concealment. To turn the searchlight on to, matters of this kind is a public service, not so that the principals may be punished or disgraced, but to prevent recurrences. New Zealand should-have cause to honor the ;men allowed to hold (position® of trust as the servants of ,the people, and should strenuously fight the least suspicion of "graft" or public dishonesty or concealment the moment it discovers it. Evervone is liable to err, but .the manly ipan, when he errs, frequently admits it, and doesi not seek dishonest influence to shield himself. Men with power—especially if they are weak men in themlelves—are often very proud of the influence they wield, and the temptation to exercise it is great. The public has a right, when it stumbles across a case of discovered political influence, to wonder if it is not possible that some, other csfses go undiscovered. It is with the object of making such occurrences impossible that'the very highest qualities should be demanded in the characters of public ser. vants. It is inconceivable, for instance, that a misdemeanant could approach a Supreme Qourt Judge privately in order that he might influence th 6 Judge to neglect' his duty. Yet the case has its. parallel in the one we have mentioned. The member of Parliament with his confreres constitute the higihest court in the land. The biassed action of any member of the Parliament is not only a reflection on the dignity and integrity of the body, but is a direct menace to law and its administration. New Zealand lias a better chance for pure administration and unbiassed, honest public service than most countries, because of the fewness of the people and the smallness of the social problem. If a youthful country is undermined with bad influences it cannot grow aright; if. it is clean in its youth it has a better chance of a robust, honest old age. The spirit of independence, which is the strength of all virile nations, must not be sapped by weakly application® for the help of influential persons. The influential man. who uses his influence wrongly is a weak man. If he is unable to curb his weakness he should not be given any power.