POLICE EFFICIENCY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9640, 4 November 1909, Page 6

POLICE EFFICIENCY.

ROYAL COMMISSIONER'S REPORT. The report of the Royal Commissions, Mr H. W. Bishop, S.M., on the condition of the Police Force was presented to Parliament yesterday afternoon. Following is a summary of the findings:—Closer supervision of the training depot at night is required. Fuller enquiry should be made into the antecedents of men joining the force. The probationary period should be extended to three months, and married probationers be paid 7a 6ti a day. Pay uhould commence at 8s a day, and increase by increments of 6d a clay e\ery three years until it reaches 3s 6d. Senior constables should receive 10s a day. Tlaere should be some degree of elasticity in regard to educational qualifications. Positions should not be "offered" to men. Transfers are too frequent. Weekly classes should be held for all men of less than two years' service. The conduct generally of the men has been good. The Commissioner is convinced that a good deal of drinking goes on amongst the younger men. Cases of drunkenness have been dealt with far too leniently. As to morality, there is little to cavil at. The Commissioner considers that a certain amount of political influence has been used in regard to enrolment of members. The idea •of sectarian or Masonic influence is scouted by the Commissioner. There is discontent in the force in regard to promotions. No conatabla should be promoted to the rank, of sergeant after he has passed the age of 45 years. Station sergeant should be done away with, and replied by senior sergeants. These and chief detectives should be eligible for the rank of sub-inspector. The headquarters staff should be replaced by Civil servants, and the members of the staff Bent to duty outside. The annual leave should be extended to fifteen days. Recruits should be instructed in rifle shooting. Travelling ! allowances, should be increased to 8s a day. Departmental enquiries should be conducted on oath. The general conduct of the police is good. By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, November 3.

In the House of Representatives, this afternoon, the report of the Police Commission was laid on the table.

Mr J. F. Arnold (Dunedin Central) explained that the course taken by him was not antagonistic to Commissioner Dinnie, and he regretted that that officer had made a personal matter of it The charges made by Mr Arnold were serious but not reckless, and if half of them were proved he was justified in making them. Commissioner Dinnie's statement that all the charges made were absolutely baseless was absurd, but worse still wa3 Commissioner Dinnie's statement that he had laid a trap for public men who were enquiring into the state of tne iorce. He was satisfied, whatever the report might be, that new heads were required for the Police Department. The whole head office ou*ht to be reorganised. Mr T. E. Taylor (Christchurch North) said that since the D.I.C. scandal in Dunedin he had doubts ag to the capacity of Commissioner Dinnie. Mr Taylor gave instances of laxity of discipline existing in the force, and proper methods of promotion. Mr A. L. Herdman (Wellington North) referring to the state of the force unrlrr Commissioner Tunbridge, aaid that that officer had resigned

rather than submit to the dictation of Ministers of the Crown. In the pressnt case the Ministry was responsible, and could not make a scapegoat of the Commissioner. Mr T. M. Wilford (Hutt) said that the Police Force of the Dominion was a good as any in the world, and he did not believe one charge of I'ri • bery and corruption had been brought before the Commission Sir Joseph Ward, in reply, said that he had hoped that members would waited till they had copies of the report in their hands before discussing it. Referring to Mr Herdman's remarks, he said that these were contrary to fact and showed bias. Mr W. Dinnie, Commissioner of Police, intends to prepare a statement covering the allegations contained in Mr H. W. Bishop's report to Parliament concerning the Police Force. Mr Dinnie will ask the Minis ter of Justic; to lay his statement on the table of the House.