POLITICAL NOTES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 134, 24 October 1912, Page 5

POLITICAL NOTES.

HOLIDAYS FOR THE POLICE. (By Telegraph—Own Correspondent). Wellington, Last Night. In the House of Representatives the member for Nelson this afternon asked the Minister of Justice whether he will take the necessary steps to (1) Allow the men in the New Zealand Police Force one day's* holiday in each week; (2) provide c'ompletod 'uniforms instead of cloth only ; and (3) allow time off to any constable who has made an arrest du'rin<* night duty, and has to attend a Cmlrt in tlie morning in what would otherwise be his own time. The reply f of the Minister was as under: —(1) To comply with the request a very large increase in the strength of the force would have to be made, and as* the men are paid by the day for r>cwn dnvs weekly the additional expense would he considerable. Annual leave is provided for by regulation, and in addition to this Sunday leave in turn is given where possible without any loss of pay. (2) The question of providing boqts and the cost of making up uniforms is one of additional expense, probably over £4OOO per annum, which would have to be considered. It is not many years since all members of the police force had to provide uniforms at their own cost. (3) A rule to allow two hours off duty to all men who during their turn off duty have to attend court for a short period would mean a considerable increase in the force, as other men would he required to take up the work of those allowed off. At present the custom is to allow men who are detained long at the court a concession of time off as far as the circumstances will permit. *

INDUSTRIAL UNREST. Mr. Glover asked the Minister fot Labor in the House this afternoon if ho would this session introduce an amendment of the industrial laws which will have the effect of restoring peace and prosperity to the workers of the Dominion. The Hon. W. F. Massey briefly replied: "I cannot add anything to what I have already stated in reply to similar questions that have been asked thie session." TAX ON AMUSEMENTS. It is not proposed, says the Hon. J. Allen, to bring down any legislation this session to tax theatre tickets and devote the proceeds to the upkeep of consumptive sanatoria. HOTEL EMPLOYEES. In replv to a question in the House today the Prime Minister said that he proposed to introduce in a few days a Bill giving hotel and restaurant employees a six days week, and to refer it to the Labor Bills Committee for the taking of evidence.