The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1921. DANGEROUS TACTICS.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 November 1921, Page 4

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1921. DANGEROUS TACTICS.

The sensational statements connected with the trouble which has existed at Scotland Yard consequent on the antagonism of Sir Basil Thompson to the Chief Police Commissioner (General Sir Wm. Horwootl) apparently came to a climax through what is described as “the almost successful interference of Sinn Feiners with Mr. Lloyd George.” It seems that the British Premier had a most narrow escape, by a few seconds only, from a tragedy. What really happened will probably be divulged in due course, but in view of the delicate nature of the Irish negotiations it has evidently been deemed politic to observe a reticence that the public may not be inflamed. With that phase of the matter we do not propose to dwell upon, except to express the utmost thankfulness at Mr. Lloyd George’s preservation from harm* and that feeling is intensified by the mortification at the murder of the Premier of Japan. The light which has been thrown on the situation at the headquarters of the police in London rea state of affairs that may well make thoughtful people stand aghast at such dangerous tactics being brought into play. The Chief Commissioner of Metropolitan Police occupies a position of very great responsibility, while the Director-General of Intelligence at police headquarters (Scotland Yard), although subsidiary to the Commissioner, has far more onerous duties to perforin, needing special qualities and exceptional experience. Practically the protection of the lives of persons of the highest rank in the land devolve upon him, as well as the unearthing of plots, and keeping watch over foreign and other fomentors of trouble. The police intelligence departments in all countries are charged with the work of collecting and utilising information, not only affecting the criminal classes, but those concerned in political machinations. This service has been brought to a high degree of effici- i ency in England, and it is essential that. the most cordial relations should exist ■ between the Commissioner and the Di- i rector of Intelligence. Unfortunately i when General Horwood was appointed: Commissioner, it evoked open antagonism on the part of Sir Basil Thompson, • so much so that the latter, upon whom ; the responsibility for the happily-avert-; ed menace to the Premier was “unreasonably thrown,” refused to consult the Commissioner, whom he deemed unsuit- : - able for the office, and arranged with the ! Home Secretary to communicate with * him direct instead of through the Com- • missioner. Such a pact was nothing ; less than a grave scandal and a danger 1 to the State. Matters seem to have 1 gone from bad to worse, and last week i Sir Basil Thompson was reported to have j resigned, it being now stated that he has i been dismissed. Obviously the accident; of a moment was, under the circumstances, liable to precipitate a crisis, and that is what happened. It is inconceivable that such a state of affairs should have been allowed to exist.