RESTRICTIONS ON THE POLICE
The «« Waoganul Hesald " says :— The polioe have received a olroular signed by the Oommjsiloner, the permanent head of thrir department, m which id contained * prohibition that they are not to belong to "any political of religious Sdoiety " on patn of dismissal. The *' Evening Foat " applied to the Oommlaaloner for a copy of tbe circular, bat irao refaaedV Thaw ii no doubt, however, that anoh a otronlar hat been Issued* The meaning of auoh a mandate it fs difficult to understand. We thought we were living m a land la whioh all sorts and conditions of men. enjoyed religions, if not polltipal, liberty.' Ii a polioeman not to be permitted to attend bla oho rob, whioh is a "religious aoblety?" And If there Is a religious eoolety with ft different meaning we should like to know what it is. With reipeot to the " political society" whioh a member of, the foroe may not att&nd, we ahould alib like to be informed as to the meaning of the term. It U now about two year* since the police were allowed by law lo exerokft the franchise. Have they abased thft privilege ? X might not be expedient tail a pollooman should become a member of a Liberal Aniooiatlon, bnt otrtainiy he ought to be entitled to join a Friendly Sooiety. For oarstlres, we hare alwayi maintained that tbe enjoyment of tbe fail rights of the oitiZ9n strengthens the sense of duty. Is the poMoeman then an exoen* tlon to the rule 1 The Oommtuioner mast be asked first to define hta terms, and then to give reasons for imposing the extraordinary restriction. The Moreoy with whioh tho order has been baaed doet not argue the courage of one who Ii firm In his conviction* or li backed by labittn* tlal reason!.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AG18890606.2.24
Bibliographic details
RESTRICTIONS ON THE POLICE, Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2144, 6 June 1889
Word Count
302RESTRICTIONS ON THE POLICE Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2144, 6 June 1889
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