"CONDITION OF CHAOS."

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3218, 16 June 1909, Page 6

"CONDITION OF CHAOS."

THE POLICE FORCE.

The condition of the police force formed the subject of some comment by Mr Herdman in the House of Representatives. He said that the police force was in a very unsatisfactory state, and that it was entirely done, he believed, to the fact that no proper supervision was exercised by the head of the Department in making appointments. He did not in any way blame the Minister jfor Justice (Hon. Dr. Findlay), who was keen and anxious in the discharge of his duties and who, he believed, was animated by high motives and a desire to promote a better condition of tilings in the Department,. He was, he added, inclined to the opinion that the head of the Department was responsible for the state of things that existed, which amounted almost to a scandal. The force was in a condition of chaos, due almost entirely to the fact that political influence was exerted in the making of ap> pointments. That sort of thing ought not to be allowed to continue. Speaking in the House of Representatives yesterday afteronon, Mr Luke urged that something should be done to remedy the condition of service in the force. The present unsatisfactory position was due to the fact that sufficient enquiry had not been made regarding the antecedents and character of applicants. Mr Arnold also complained of the unsatisfactory state of the police force, and said he would fight tor a remedy until effected. He considered that the portfolio of Justice should be held by a member of the House. Mr Herdman considered that the state of things disclosed respecting the police was highly discreditable to the Government. He blamed the Commissioner of Police for the present condition of affairs.