THE POLICE FORCE.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 10146, 20 September 1898, Page 6

THE POLICE FORCE.

PUBLIC MEETING IN WELLINGTON

(Br Tklegraph.)

(FROM OUR SPECIAL CORR_-PO_r»E-'T.) WELLINGTON, September 19.

Notwithstanding a very boisterous night, there was a large audience in the Theatre Royal, to hear Messrs Taylor and A. R. Atkinson's criticism of the Government in regard to the administration of the polica force.

Mr Pirani, M.H.R., was in the chair, and briefly sketched the history of the police commission and the recent discussion in the House on their report. Mr A. R. Atkinson, who is a nephew of the late Sh Harry Atkinson, was the first speaker, and met wkh an enthusiastic reception. He made a forcible and humorous speech. Thecharges that were before surmised had, he said, now been proved,and thecirculation of Mr Taylor's book would do more than anything to bring the Premier down. He referred to the Premier's pathos in speaking of Inspector Emerson and others. He almost saw tears in the Premier's eyes as he referred to poor Emerson, whom Commissioner Kenny had found guilty of "exprosive bronchial catarrh." (Laughter.) The Premier was so good a heavy Roman father that his excursions into the domain of domestic pathos should receive more attention than they generally did. (Laughter). If the evidence of the Police Commission were only properly used, it would put an end to Tammanyism, and turn out of office the present occupants of the Ministerial benches, who disgraced the very name of democracy. Sooner than have such a democracy he would rather have an honest, outspoken despotism. (Applause). Mr Taylor, who was also well received, said the tactics of the Premier, in regard to the discussion on the Police Commission report, were unworthy of a three-card-trick man. It was, at all events, a disgrace to the man who posed as the leader of the democracy. If the democracy was like the man who at the present time was nominally its head, then he would say God help the democracy. (Applause). IHe referred to the Premier's speech in the House, where his pathos over Constable Christie's dead child, and his defence of i Emerson were tbe only answers to the I revelation regarding the department contained in the Police Commission evidence. He refened at length to the now celebrated Lawless case, alleging that Mrs Lawless, who was a friend of the Seddon family, interviewed the Premier, and the power of the Government was used in getting a publican's licpnse for a person who had been unfavourably reported upon. He dealt with several individual cases, of drunken and incapable constables, who had been allowed to remain in the force, and some of whom had been promoted. As to political influence, there was no doubt it had been going on, to the utter demoralisation of the police force. Inspector Fox had said that was so, and Mr Northcroft had also said it. He next dwelt at length on the case of a spieler, in whose interest a favourable report had been obtained from the police through political influence in regard to playing a game of chance known as "bird on the wing. This was in accordance with the worst phases of the Tammany regime in New York. The Premier would no doubt still endeavour to hold his political control over the police, and he would do so, and try to make Mr Tunbridge a puppet if public opinion did not prevent his doing so. He believed, however, Mr Tunbridge would do his duty. There were, thank goodness, still a few men in the service here and there who would do their duty and retain their self-respect or retire from their positions. (Loud applause.) The Government, he held, were tot responsible for the legislation given to the country. That came from outside—from public opinion expressed in the newspapers and at public meetings. The Ministry simply watched the political barometer, and the electors should judge a Ministry not by its legislation, but by its administration. (Applause). If so, what could they say qf the administration of the Defence Department for the last eight years? Not only was the shadow of Tammany revealed, but bo surely as they failed to put their foot down on the methods now revealed, so surely would their girls and boys be deprived of the reward that should come to merit. (Applause). Because some crawling scoundrels of political supporters would have to be rewarded for services rendered. (Renewed applause.) Why, in Wellington, as they all knew, there were scores of political woman touts who knew nothing of politics or liberal principles; they were simply on the hunt for billets—(laughter)— •and man after man and woman after woman had been rewarded, and quietly lifted into positions that the Almighty never qualified them for. (Laughter and applause.) In conclusion, he said that if the Premier refused to allow the representatives of the people in Parliament to come to a vote in regard to the Police Commission report, they would be justified in stopping him ironj getting further supplies of money. H ever stone-walling or obstruction was legitimate, it was certainly so in such a case where the Premier had defied the power of the representative Chamber. (Loud applause). The Chairman intimated that this was only the first step in their attempt to purify the administration—that it was intended to take another step, which would be t. much larger task —viz., the purification of the Civil Service of the colony. (Loud applause. ) Although the Premier had said that he wouldnot grant a Commissionforthepurpose, he (Mr Pirani) would guarantee that before twelve months,were over they would bring out such facts of corruption in regard -to the Civil Service that the Ministry would be forced either to resign or to give way to public opinion and appoint a Royal Commission. (Loud applause). The following motion was then put and carried unanimously, amid enthusiastic cheering :—"That this meeting deplores the rapid advance made under the present administration towards a Tammany system of corruption, 'as revealed in the evidence before the Police Commission, condemns the Government for its endeavour to evade the question and render the labours of the Commission futile by shirking a division on the subject in the House of Representatives, and respectfully urges upon Parliament that the recommendation of the Commission to free the police department from political control and give the Commissioner of Police a free hand in its management, be given i immediate effect to as the only means of restoring the efficiency of the force, and checking the progress of corruption."