POLICE INQUIRY

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 46, 24 February 1942, Page 5

POLICE INQUIRY

N.S.W. Premier Takes Over Ministerial Control INVESTIGATION OP CONDUCT Rec. 12.30 p.m. SYDNEY, this day. The New South Wales Premier, Mr. McKell, has taken over the Ministerial control of the Police Department, and directed the Commissioner of Police, Mr. W. J. Mackay, to bring back to Sydney the 17 members of the executive of the Police Association who had been transferred to the country- On their return an inquiry, will be held into their conduct as police officers and into the circumstances of their transfer.

An earlier message stated that the members of the executive which were ordered to the country by the Police Commissioner, left by trains last night after learning that the Chief Secretary, who controls the Police Department, was unable to intercede on their behalf. The matter is being taken up by some unions, who fear that the Police Commissioner's action constitutes an attack on the basic principles of unionism.

A message received vesterday stated that 17 members of'the New South Wales Police Association, including the president, vice-president and executive, had been transferred from the city and suburbs to scattered towns in the country This action was subsequent to an inquiry by the Police Commissioner into criticism of the police billetine scheme. e