THE POLICE FORCE.

Bush Advocate, Volume XXI, Issue 297, 19 June 1909, Page 5

THE POLICE FORCE.

THE MINISTER IX DEFENCE?" A COMMISSION TO BE APPOINTED. [PBESS ASSOCIATION.] .WELLINGTON, to-day. ThC Minister of Justice, interviewed b," a Post repoi'toi 1 in regard to tho chaiv es - r . Gcent b r made against the acljninistrat-ti? 11 of tllG Police Department by tho present commissioner, said so.- far tW charges were couched in such ■■ vague aii.d general terms as to make investigatioil jpra-c---tically impossible. He himselt had made enquiry into every case where a definite allegation had reached him. So .far- none of those allegations upon enquiry had been sustained. Ho recognised however the administration of the Police Department should not only be properly and impartially carried *on, but should be as far as possible above public suspicion of negligence or impropriety. In justice both to himself and .the Comniissioner, definite details in connection Avith those allegations made in the recent debate in the House should be fxirnished. Full enquiry would then be. made by a competent, fully empowered tribunal. It is to be assumed, said -the Minister, members of .Parliament* recognised their responsibility in making such charges as those referred to. If asked it will afford a Minister the fullest assistance in making investigation. In' view of all these circumstances the Cabinet resolved to recommend to the Governor that Mr Bishop, S.MI, of Christchurch, be appointed a Itoyal Commission to enquire into the charges made and make such further investigations' in connection with the police force as may be deemed propel* and expedient. It is obvious, continued the Minister, from Mr Bishop's, long experience as a magistrate, especially as a police, magistrate, and his Sound- judgment, he has all the qualifications necessary to deal with an enquiry, with which, ho is entrusted. It- is due to Mr Dinnie to say he earnestly asked me to have tho fullest enquiry made by an independent- tribunal into the allegations brought against tho administration. . As regards the duty of the Ministei- of Justice in connection with the police force, and my administration of the department, I will take the earliest appropriate opportunity of speaking from the publicplatform.