TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 1909. THE POLICE FORCE. The Advocate. [Established 1888.]

Bush Advocate, Volume XXI, Issue 299, 22 June 1909, Page 4

TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 1909. THE POLICE FORCE.

The Advocate. [Established 1888.]

[PUBLISHED DAILY.] OLDEST ESTABIJSHED PAPER ' AND OUAEANTKED LARGEST CIRCULATION IN THB DISTRICT. CIRCULATES IN Dannevirke Mangatoro Taniaki Ngapaeruru Mangahe v -Weber Ti Tree Point Waione Wimbledon Herbertvillo AWtio Horoeka Oringi Kiritaki Maharahara Woodvilla Umutaoroa Matamau Piripiri Makotuku Ormondville Norsewood Takapau Whetukura Awariki Otanga .Kumeroa Rangitane Raumati Rua Roa S. Norsewood Tiratu Tipapakuku. Mangapuaka Mangatuna Makaretu •

A striking feature of the short but memorable session of Parliament which closed last week was the violent attack on the administration of the ' police force made by Mr Arnold, one of the Dunedin members. The attack came as a "bolt from the blue." and for a time almost overshadowed the objections to the adjournment of the House. Mr T. E. Taylor, who somo years si go was particularly active in his condemnation of the Police Department, strongly backed I up the charges of his fellow-member, sind several other speakers also commented adversely on the subject. Mr Taylor ventilated a charge of "political p\ill" in reference to police appointments. The attack was .made 1 with so much determination that the ' Government have wisely determined " to have the charges investigated by a special Commissioner, and the whole matter has been entrusted to Mr , Bishop, the able magistrate at- - Christclmrch. .. This gentleman has had" a. wide experience, having been over thirty years on the bench. Some years ago, it will be remembered, he. conducted an inquiry into some serif ous breaches of discipline in the police force at Dixnedin. In Mr . Bishop, the Government has made a wise choice, particularly as lie will have si local' knowledge of. police- matters in Christclmrch. He is astute, able, and .fearless, and his report "• should prove a particularly interesting document. The exact order of reference and the date of opening the j. Commission is ' now being considered . by the Minister of Justice (Hon. Dr Findlay), who ststtes that in regard {&- ilio allegations- already made against the administration, of the Commissioner (Mr W. DmnieJ;"' they f wore generally so vague and indofin- " ite that lie had been practically un--3 able to investigate them, but where sufficient information bad been supt plied, the Minister.. -was satisfied that the charges were not sustamod on inquiry. Dr Findlay further states "that in justice to the Commissioner and himself — though his administra- ' lion did not appear to have been attacked in Parliament — definite details of all the allegations made, dur- ! iiiK the rec-ont debate in. the" House should he furnished, and full inquiry should 1)0 made by a competent tribunal. Ho assumed that members of Parliament recognised their responsibility iu making charges, and

that they would consequently furnish every assistance to the Minister in ferrying out his duty. We believe that the action taken by the Government will be generally commended. It is essential that those charged witli the administration of the law should he without taint. It is easy ti> untlovsiand thai ivlie.re a large i body of men like the police are con- j corned, some mistakes in appointments may be made, but. we have every confidence that the report- of the Royal Commission will be entirely in favor of the Government.