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Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2486, 16 June 1888, Page 2

Tub annual report of the Commissioner of Police shows that the strength of the forct hae been reduced from 502 last year to 481 in the present year. Credit is given Inspector McGovcrn for the suppression of sly-grog selling in the Bay of IsUuida district, where there had been twenty-four convictions, and fines and costs amounting to £412 inflicted. The Inspector is said to have infused new life iuto the police stationed iu the North, who have been for years, practically their own masters, without the supervision of sergeants or superior officers. The Commissioner proposes to adopt a system of sub-district constables, in place of the regular police in country and out-lying districts, and paying then, a salary of sixty pounds per annum with liberty to engag» in any other occupation. At the time the House was ill session last year, we pointed out that considerable economy could be affected in the Defence Department by adopting the system in vogue in Knsrlan'd of a rural police or special constables for country districts where the inhabitants are of simple habits and so law-abiding that the expense and necessity of maintaining full paid police and separate stations is wholly uncalled for. We recommended that in such localities some respectable local tradesman or other resident should be appointed rural or village constable at a small salary, with a badge or insignia of office to be worn or produced when called upon to exercise the functions of his office, and subject to the instructions and authority of the Inspector of the police district. It is satisfactory to note that to some extent our proposals have received the attention of the Commissioner. But we maintain that Mr Gudgeon is far too limited in the application of his suggestions. Instead of twenty districts where he proposes sub-constables can bo appointed it would be found, on enquiry, that there are one hundred places "where rural police can be appointed, and if the system is properly organised, it will also be ascertained that suitable local residents will be forthcoming willingto undertake the simple duties of maintaining peace and order aud enforcing respect for the law for a less remuneration than sixty pounds per annum ; they would be satisfied to augment their wages or income with half that sum as a certainty whilst still pursuing other occupations they may be engaged upon. We are glad the Commisioiier recognises that further economy <:an be introduced in his department, aud sincerely trust he will render the country valuable service by reducing the existing system from a complexity and expenditure not iu accordance with the conditions of the colouy to one of greater simplicity, and which the example of the Home, country shows us is ample for all our present requirements. We are quite convinced that a saving of thousands would follow such a plan, being adopted. Referring further to the report it states the Commissioner is still undecided as to the method of providing a general pension scheme for the force, unless compulsory insurance is introduced. He also proposes to recruit the ranks of the regular police from the outside people, in place of exclusively from the permanent militia, as at present, owing to the decreasing stength of the latter force.