POLICE AND THE WAR.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16219, 23 May 1918, Page 3

POLICE AND THE WAR.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

Various citizens Lave expressed an opinion that married men should be trained to take tho places of unmarried constables, fit for active service oversea (says the "Wellington "Post"). This argument ivas .brought under the notice of tho Minister of Justice (the Hon. T. M. Wilford). "On April Ist, 1918, there were 8< fewer men in the Police Force than on April Ist, 1916," stated the Minister in his reply. "Among those doing duty now there are GO temporary constables. There arc many men over military ago in the Police Force. Single men in the Polico Force are necessary for street <luty, etc. In cities which are shipping ports young, virile, athletic men in training are required, as newspaper reports, unfortunately, show. Men militarily unfit cannot undertake many of the duties cast upon the police nowadays. Sometimes two police constables have to handle a crowd without any assistance. This is regrettable! but is a fact. Physically weak policemen constitute a challenge to the unruly, and people who are ready to make mischief must be watched and dealt witn.

il The fact that tho Polico Force is below tho considered requisite Btrengtxi to-day is in itself serious. The duties and responsibilities of tho Force have been multiplied by the war. for mucn time is taken up to-day _in making enquiries about enemy subjects, enemy property, deserters under the Military Service Act, and in Departmental enquiries concerning applications for permits and passports, while days ana weeks are spent at times in ascertaining the truth or otherwise of allegations against persons, firms, or corporation!, alleged to be trading with the enemy. "The single men in the Police Force are keen to 6erve their country «t tne front, but all the enemies of the country are not in Germany and Northern Franco, and in the interests of public safety, T intend keeping some , trained and active men in tho Dominl ion. If serious disorder took place _i n I the Dominion, and all fit. and active young men in the police were out- of New Zealand, the public would be entitled to hold the Department blame- ; worthy. I do not intend that such an I eventuality shall occur. I must point ' out that an untrained and inefficient policeman is a dtDger to the community.^