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Waipawa Mail, Volume I, Issue 4, 25 September 1878, Page 2

Great dissatisfaction exists amongst the members of the police force throughout the entire colony. Mr. Vincent Pyke, an Otago member, has interested himself in redressing the wrongs of the force in the South Island. The reason why his philanthrophy has geographical limits is stated by him to be that he knows nothing of the pay or condition of the North Island police, but if as good a case could be made out in their favor, he would have no objection to make his motion apply to the whole colony. The motion is as follows : “That the House will, on Wednesday, the 25th day off September, resolve itself into a committee of the whole to consider of an address to his Excellency, praying that a sum of money may be placed on the Supplementary Estimates for increasing the rate of pay of the police force of the Middle Island of New Zealand, upon the following scale :—Third-class constables, Gd. per day ; second and first-class, Is. per day; sergeants, Is. Gd. per day ; sergeant-majors, 2s. Gd. per day.” During the debate which followed, Mr. Sheehan stated that no less than seventy men had left the force in the Middle Island during the year. This certainly shows an unsatisfactory state of things, but it is easily accounted for by the fact that the police receive less pay than ordinary labourers. Mr. Pyke hazarded the statement that men only went into the force because they could get nothing else to do, and that they left it as soon as something turned up. If such is the ease, the existing police force must be a useless body of men, for no man worth his salt in this country can fail to get employment. However, Mr. Pyke’s remarks only contain half a truth. The majority of the force have not been brought up to hard manual labor, and no man who has not cared about handling a pick and shovel. Taking the force generally, they are a fine body of men, and efficiently discharge their duties. Great difficulty has been experienced in keeping up the required strength of the force in the South Island, and recruiting has been carried on in Wellington for some time. If we are to have a police to he relied on, there must be the inducement of liberal pay. There is another thing besides pay which should be taken into consideration, and that is, that the men should be comfortably quar-

tered. At present the most inadequate provision is made for them. Mr. Sheehan admitted that the pay of the police was not large, but endeavoured to make a point out of their receiving free quarters, medical attendance, and other advantages. The members of the force can appreciate these advantages at their proper worth. The buildings in which they are housed are often of the most wretched description, while, if their duties compel them to travel, the niggardly allowances they receive seldom cover the actual expenses. The amount required to cover the increase suggested by Mr. Pyke would not amount to more than £BOOO a year for the whole colony, and if the services of efficient men can be retained thereby, the additional outlay will be amply compensated by the object gained. It was stated in the House that the present police force of the colony was thoroughly disorganised. The discussion which is to take place in Parliament to-day may bring about a better state of things.