THE POLICE FORCE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3222, 21 June 1909, Page 5

THE POLICE FORCE.

ANOTHER ROYAL COMMISSION

By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, June 19. The Minister of Justice, interviewed by a "Post"' reporter in r gard to the charges recently made against the administration oi the Police Department by the present commissioner, said so far the charges were couched in such vague and general terms as to make investigation nractically impossible. He himself had nade enquiry into every case where a iefinite allegation had reached him. 30 far none of those allegations upon inquiry had been sustained. He rerognised, however, the administration )f the Police Department should not j jnly be properly and impartially car- I :ied on, but should be as far as possible above public suspicion of negligence or impropriety. In justice )oth to himself and the Commission;r, definite details in connection with ;hose allegations made in the recent lebate in the House should be furbished. Full enquvry would then be nade by a competent, fully empowered tribunal. It is to be issumed, said the Minister, members )f Parliament recognised their responsibility in making such charges }s those referred to. If asked it will ifford a Minister the fullest assistmce in making investigation. In new of all these circumstances, the Cabinet resolved to recommend to ihe Governor that Mr Bishop, S.M., jf Christchurch, be anpointed a Royal Commission; to enquire into the charges made, and make such further investigations in connection with the police force as may be deemed proper and expedient. "It is abvious,"' continued the Minister, "from Mr ' Bishop's long experience as a Magistrate, especially as a police magistrate, and his sound judgment, he has all the necessary qualifications necessary to deal with an enquiry, with which he is entrusted. It is due to Mr Dinnie to 3ay he earnestly asked me to have enquiry made by an independent tribunal into the allegations brought against the administration. 4s regards the duty of the Minister )f Justice,' in connection with the Dolice force, and my administration >f the department, I will take the earliest appropriate opportunity of ipeaking from the public platform."