THE POLICE COMMISSION.

Evening Star, Issue 14163, 13 September 1909, Page 4

THE POLICE COMMISSION.

A CLIMB DOWN.

[Per Uxi-rnn Press Association.] WELLINGTON, September 13. The Commission opened the Wellington sittings 10 day. Mr Alex, Gray, solicitor, appealed for leave to represent the Quav police. He said that while the Commission was sitting in Dimcdin the Lambton Quay police helfl a meeting. They wero not actuated by any antagonism to the Commission, and wished to witiidiaw the .suggestion of any want of confidence in it. Tho men upon vetleelion considered their action w;i.s unwise, and if aov excuse could ho offered, tho men Mid if was t|ie more 01 ks* short-report* telegraphed from Duncdiu. They were under the mistaken impression that iwmc individuals in Dunedin •.'.-ere being offered opportunities for ventilating personal grievances. Mr Bishop: That- is tho opinion of the Wellington police. Mr Gray: They entirely withdraw any suggestion of disloyalty or want- of confidence in tho Commission.

Mr Bishop expressed pleasure at finding that the police, here had acknowledged the error of their ways. Heading the resolution they had passed, there was no doubtas to what actuated tho people who were l(-.sponsible for if. The Commissioner characterised the resolution as absolutely improper. Ho should be sorry to think that a body of forty men belonging to the Police Force should meet together and speak about matters which they knew nothing about, As a result, of a- haphazard meeting the men had carried a resolution tantamount to a- vote of want of confidence m the person appointed to hold the Commission, and an expression of confidence in their own head. Personally he had treated flu- matter with absolute contMnpt.' He had hoped that the meeting was not the outcome of the views of the Wellington police as a body. To him if appeared to have been engineered by one or two individuals. " ,

.Mr Bishop said ho certainly took exception to being personally held responsible for a. great deal of what had been described as irrelevant evidence. 11 is desire had been to obtain evidence which would place the Police Force on the soundest possible footing, and enable it to be spoken of with credit everywhere. J. J. Me.ikle came forward and asked leave to give evidence concerning a constable who. ha alleged, had committed perjury at his (Meikle's) trial.

The Commissioner ruled that he could not hoar the evidence.

Constable .1. P. Thompson attended as a delegate for the Lambloii ipiav police. He asked for Is a. day. rising by 6'd every three years to a maximum of IDs for constables; I,,at. eighteen days' leave bo granted annually; that the house allowance for married men be increased ; and Unit the accommodation at the LainbUm quay station ho improved. Witness said the conduct of the Wellington police was excellent. Liquor was not taken into tho barracks. Ho knew nothing about two sergeants having to go to the barracks % make peace, nor did he. Know of a larrikin element in the Force. He had heard nothing about a "handy" or a "special" man, and did not believe that such person existed.

Referring to the crowded state of the bedrooms at Lambton quay, Mr Bishop said he. thought the state of affairs absolutely indecent. **

Constable J. J. Gallagher endorsed Constable Thompson's evidence. Constable Doyle, representing the Ajcunt Cook police, argued that the pay inculd be 8s a day for constables and a free rass on the railways when on holidays. He' also ventilated grievances regarding emoluments.