POLICE CONFERENCE

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 July 1936, Page 7

POLICE CONFERENCE

ASSOCIATION PROJECT. [PEB PBESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, July 1. ; Steps are'to be taken to secure the - permission of the Minister-in-Charge - of the Police Department, Hon. P. - Fraser, for the holding of a confer- , ence at Wellington, of representatives > of the Police Force throughout New I Zealand. The purpose of the proposed conference will be to consider • the advisability or otherwise of forming a National Police Association. The ; Minister’s consent is essential to the i holding of the conference, as it would r be necessary for the delegates to such > a gathering to secure official leave to i attend it. Should the conference be , held and the vote be favourable to the [ formation of an association, then dis- > cussions will be held by the delegates ■on the form of its activities and . operation, its possible affiliation with L other organisations, and so on. . There is a strong body of opinion ■ in the Police Force which will oppose i any affiliation or linking up with any ! other body, such as the Public Seri vice Association, or any other em- . ployees’ organisation. There are . Police Associations operating in Aus- ; tralia. It is claimed that they are a • distinct asset to the men and to the administration, enabling the airing . and settlement of complaints. Some itime ago, the Minister stated that, if I any representations were made to /him in connection with an association . they would receive his consideration. , In the event of a conference not takl ing place, the question of the formation of an association may be deter- ■ mined by a secret ballot, blit official ’ consent would still be necessary for this.