POLICE AND THEIR PAY.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 March 1920, Page 4

POLICE AND THEIR PAY.

It is not surprising that the police force at Christchurch have voiced a very strong claim for an all round increase of pay. The marvel is that the. demand has not been made earlier, "and it may be taken for granted that it will become general throughout the Dominion. Coincident with the Christchurch meeting, Mr. T. M. Wilford, speaking at Petone on the occasion of a presentation being made to an ex-constable, went fully into the question of police hours and pay, and, in so doing, drew attention to the fact that for the first time in the history of New Zealand notices were to be seen stating tiliat polioe recruits were wanted to bring the force up to its full strength. As an ex-Minister-in-charge of the Police, Mr. Wilford is in a position to give reliable information on this matter, and he asserted that the time was coming—and soon—when in order to obtain the required recruits, further increases of salary to police officers must be granted by the Government. Why, he asked, was it that these signals of distress were sent round by the Government of today— "Recruits Wanted?" The reason was simply and plainly this: "The Cost of Living." He contended that it was a clean, honorable job, a kind of semimilitary job. It was an ever-pre9?nt need in time of trouble—a force every one looked up to as being composed of gentlemen and honorable men. A policeman, added Air. Wilford, does not know when he may be called upon to engage in a struggle for l>*e, and this is beyond the question of the ordinary risk that an employee takes. Every session of Parliament new conditions were created which brought about new police duties. There was not a Bill passed or an Act placed on the Statute Book that did not require the assistance of the Police in its administration. As a rule, the standan,! of rectitude is high among the police, and their conduct is all that could be desired. They are occasionally twitied with leading* the life of a lazy man. That is because few people realise the niiture of tbeir duties and responsibilities. Even regarded from the lowest standpoint the police are a necessary accessory of national life, and if the force is to be as intelligent, vigilant and offiount m is requisite, then member-,

should certainly, receive fair remuneration. If this is not offered it will result in lowering the standard of recruits or in failing to attract men of the right stamp to the service. The increased cost of living has affected the police as much as any other section of the community, and they are justly entitled to a square deal.