The Waikato Argus GEORGE EDGECUMBE, Proprietor. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1898.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 338, 8 September 1898, Page 2

The Waikato Argus GEORGE EDGECUMBE, Proprietor. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1898.

The report of the Police Commission has been placed upon the table of the House, and we publish a summary of it in another column. The report, as regards the efficiency of the force and the character of the men, is more favourable than was generally anticipated. The most important branch of the inquiry was that made as to how far political influence was brought to beatby members of the force and their friends with advantage to those who could exercise it, and to the detriment of those who could not The Commissioners say on this : " The influence thus invoked, so far as our inquiries have enabled us to ascertain, has been exercised more frequently with a view to remedy a snpposed wrong or injustice than to obtain special favours in the way of preferment, but without much success, but, that it has been used with both objects, is established by the evidence we have taken. In no case, however, has it been proved that political services were urged or suggested as a ground for consideration or preferment."

In face of the strong feeling which, the Commissioners allow, pervades the force, that political influence was necessary to secure preferment, and which we know to be the case from our own observations, we can bub believe that the right men to elucidate this matter have not been before the Commission, or if so that they have not spoken the whole truth. In no case, say the Commissioners, has it been proved that political services were urged or suggested as a ground for consideration or preferment. It would have been too indecent for the applicant to do this personally, but it is quite another matter for an applicant for consideration to send in a bald statement of his case, with an understanding that a man of the right colour who had rendered political services would back it up. The Commissioners, although very guarded in their language, say quite sufficient to justify their suggestion that the Commissioner of Police should have absolute authority as to all appointments, promotions, transfers and dismissals, and as co the distribution of the foree, They point out that the effect of the Minister retaining this power in his hands has been to create a desire to get behind the officers of the Department to the Ministerial head and has led to that resort to political influence which has caused so much dissatisfaction to the men and to the executive officers of the Department. It appeared to them scarcely necessary that the attention of a Minister of the Crown should be occupied with the internal arrangements of the police force. This suggestion should meet with the approval of every man who thinks it of more importance that the police force should be efficient than that a Minister of the Crown should use the force to confer favours on political supporters by appointing men to the ranks, screening them •when in the wrong or promoting them regardless of the opinion of the officers of tho Department. We fear, however, that the present party in office are not likely to allow the power to pass from their hands. It may Le said that the Commissioner would probably not exercise the power with justice. Of course, this is possible ; but as his own credit is at stake it is fair to presume that he would promote the most efficient men. It may also be said that the Minister's reputation is also at stake ; but so is his political position. Again, the Commissioner would be capable of judging as to the qualifications of the men and the Minister of necessity would not.