POLICE PAY.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 April 1919, Page 5

POLICE PAY.

THE PROPOSED INCREASE. By Telegraph.—Press Association. , Wellington, Last Night. Mr. T. Wilford announces that a further increase has been approved by Cabinet in the pay of sergeants and constables of the police force,, and a scale for permanent increases of all other officers is now being prepared. It is considered that the recent increase of Is 6d per day is insufficient, suitable men not being attracted to the force, and since the armistice fiere had been numbers of resignations. The force numbered about a thousand before the war, and was now reduced to SOO. A commission consisting of the At-torney-General, the acting-Minister of Finance, and the Minister for Justice reported to Cabinet that they were impressed with the gravity of the position disclosed, in view of the special qualifications demanded in recruits. The commission was of opinion that granting the increase would not provide an argument for a corresponding increase in other branches of the Government service. Public order could not be preserved unless a sufficient number of men bo qualified B.nd trained were maintained in the Dominion in a state of contentment and complete discipline. The commission advised that the rate be increased by a further Is 6d per day to all constables and sergeant 3. The cost of the increases is estimated at about £22,000 annually. The commission also recommended that the house jllcwance for married men be iin'itvscd from £27 7s 6d per annum to £3O. Mr. Wilford stated that all the recommendations of the commission had been adopted by Cabinet. The increase to the other officers will be auroifliccd as soon as it has been considered by Cabinet, and all increases take effect from April 1.