AUCKLAND POLICE & FORCE.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15775, 16 December 1916, Page 9

AUCKLAND POLICE & FORCE.

■ • A QUESTION OF RELIGIOX. (I'RESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) AUCKLAXD. December 10. In the course of tho hearing of cases in the Policc Court, -witnesses for the defence .have been asked b.v tor Mcllveney what was their religion. On several occasions Mr Frazer, the .S.M., oxpressed surprise at the questions being asked. This afternoon the matter was carried further. F. G. Ewington, alter giving his evidence. said he was a Protestant, and was then asked by the Sub-Inspector it he had heard that the Protestant community of Auckland was desirous of the immediate removal ot Superintendent Kiely or any other police officer. Witness replied iii the negative, and added that he had not heard OT any: representations having been made to tho Minister on the subject. Later on, Mr •). Dickson, M.P. for Parnell, was being cross-examined by the Sub-Inspector. ile said he was not aware that the Protestant community of Auckland was desirous of Superintendent Kielv's removal from Auckland, but it would be Porrect to i :;ay that the Protestant community desired a change in the personnel of tho Auckland Police Force. Sub-Inspector Mclnveney: How' Witness: By the removal of Sub-In-spector Mcllveney. Witness said mat, as .? member of Parliament, he had introduced two deputations to the Minister requesting the removal of the Suh-lnspector owing to his activities and religions opinions. The Magistrate: What is all this questioning about religion? The Sub-Inspector t;hcn read a letter from a man named Hannan to the Hon. Dr. McXafo. 'Ijhe. Snb-Insnector then asked Mr Dickson if the dissatisfaction wasgoneral. and witness replied lie had hcar<i that dissatisfaction existed from the religious standpoint and on other grounds, and that complaints had been made by the public and members of the force regarding the number of Roman Catholics in high office;; in tho Auckland Police Force. An enquiry had Seen asked for. and witness understood one was being held. The Sub-Inspector said he knew nothing of the complaints, and hoped the Court would accept his assurance that he had not been in church for several years. He was not of a religions turn of mind, and hi l - wifo was a member of the Church of Lngland. Mr; added that he did not lake any part in religious questions, and so tar as lie knew, enjoyed the confidence and respect of every member of the force and the Auckland public. His Worship raid it u;ts a pity to introduce the orange and green question. I l>- ua-. ,-orr y it iiad Ik en introduced. T/ie matter tTi',ll (Flopped.