THE POLICE ASSOCIATION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 1 July 1913, Page 4

THE POLICE ASSOCIATION.

The refusal of the Hon. A. L. Herdman to recognise the recently-formed Association is being made the subject ol severe comment in some qusurtere. It is contended, that the police have just as much right to organise -as a>ny pother branch the public service. r On this point we beg ;most respectfully to differ. The police force is an institution in. whioh discipline is the first essential to efficiency. " The Minister rightly con-tends-that the setting up o!^a'tribunal :w itir grievances is subversive of discipline. It has net yet-been demonstrated that individual .members of the force who have legitimate grievances have failed to ■ secure re-, dress when representations have been made to the-proper quarter. Indeed,, both the Minister and the Commissioner have expressed an anxiety to hear and consider any oomplaints that might fee made. Until it can be shown that the nen suffer a, disability through' lack of organisation,, their effort to form themselves into an Association will not meet with public sympathy. If law and order are to be rigorously .maintained qnd justice is to he impartially administered!,, there must, be no semblance of concerted action on* the part of the polioe. that might bring the force as- awhole into conflict with those in authority.,