THE POLICE FORCE

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13614, 24 December 1909, Page 3

THE POLICE FORCE

MR DINNIE'S REPLY TO SIR JOSEPH WARD. (rBXBS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON, December 23. Questioned regarding Sir Joseph Ward's statement in the House on the police changes, Mr Dinnio said:— "What the Prime Minister said concerning my resignation was incorrect, and ho must have been misled. I told Dr. Findlay at Christchnrch, during th, currency of tho Commission, that before any mention was made of an enquiry, 1 had intended to tender my resignation, and my reason was that I had been placed under the Justice Department, and had to submit all papers and correspondence to the Minister through that Department, the result being that I found I could not ( carry out my duties to my own satisfaction. I never said I would resign at the termination of the Commission, end I had no intention of doing so. After the Commission was set up I entirely abandoned my intention to resign' as I thought tho enquiry might be followed by some alteration in the . system, especially in regard to dealing with tho correspondence." Asked if he had any plans for the future, Mr Dinnie replied, "No; I have made no plaus. I may say that only yesterday morning 1 was offered tho position of Inspector of Prisons, but the offer was withdrawn tho same evening, why I know not." •'I consider I have been treated most unjustly," Mr Dinnio added, "but I leave tho public to judge. After the allegations which I mado against tho Royal Commissioner, I think the matter should not be dropped, but an enquiry should bo held into the evidence and the files of the Department, with a view to seeing who was in the right, and who was.in'the wrong. The statement as to 'friction' in connection with the force and my office was merely put forward as an excuse." Mr Dinnie said that he would relinquish his official duties at the end of tho present month, and would have six months' leave of absence on full pay.