THE POLICE COMMISSION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9537, 8 July 1909, Page 5

THE POLICE COMMISSION.

By Telegraph—Press Association. INVERCARGILL, July 7. Mr Bishop S.M., opened the police enquiry to-day. Commissioner Dinnie was present on behalf of the Department, and read a letter he had sent to the Minister asking that in view of the serious and reckless charges which had been brought against himself and the Police Department by certain members of Parliament that an independent tribunal be appointed to investigate and report arid that the result be made public through the Press. Mr Bishop said that no specific allegations had been made to him, and he knew nothing of the matter referred to by Mr Dinnie, except through Hansard and the Press. He would send notice to members of Parliament to attend and give the Commission information that might be in their possession. Constable Scandrett was the first witness, and said that the pay was insufficient considering the nature of the work, and risks run. The cost of living had risen considerably. The conduct of the men here was exemplary, their physique satisfactory, and there was no insobriety. Some time ago there was a case, and the men were removed from the farce. He knew of no cases of politi cal influence He had heard that the same class of men did not enter the force as formerly, and attribjteJ it

to the poor pay. Constable Connell, of the local force, who is a disrated detective, stated that he had sixteen years' service, including six years as acting detective and two years as detective. Hd spent eleven years at Lyltelton, having been appointed on account of thieving at the wharf there. Witness also alleged that steps had been taken by Mr Laurenson, M.K, under pressure from his constituents, to have witness removed from Lyttelton because, as he said, he was too successful for the comfort of the constituents aforesaid. Witness alleged that Mr Laurenson had actually said to him privately that before he came his constituents could furnish their houses and provide boots and clothing from the ships in port. Subsequently witness was removed to Christehurch as acting detective, and afterwards as detective, but was reported for trifling offences and was a "marked man." He was shifted to Danedin, where he was subs:qu;ntly disrated, alleging that no opportunity had been given him for a-iswering charges of neglect of duty made against him. It had been alleged that he was drunk, but he had never been drunk in his life. He had three weeks' uniform duty in Dunedin, and then was shifted to Inwereargi.l. He considered his treatment cruel and unjust. Connell privately submitted to the Commission the name of one detective who he alleges is in the habit of getting drunk. Inspector Mitchell gave a very favourable report of his district, and considered the difficulty of procuring recruitj was due to the too high education ttsfc whu-h blocked u a desirable of can;ii:lates from the country.

It could be by no means contended that a higher education standard couldjnake a man a better constable. The Commission sits again to-mor-row.

CHRISTCHURCH, July 7. Mr Laurenson, M.P., seen by a reporter with regard to ths statements made in evidence by Detective Cocnell before the Police Commission, at Invercargill, reflecting on Mr Laurenson, and asked if he would make a statement for publication, Mr Laurenson said: —"In view of the allegations made, I will take an early opportunity of going before the Commission and giving evidence. The allegations are of a monstrous character, and I think I shall have no difficulty in disproving them at the proper time." Asked if he would go into particulars at present, Mr Laurenson said that he ' did not desire to do so. The matters referred, to had taken place some time ago, and he would require to look up details before he said anything on the subjet.