THE POLICE FORCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 3830, 13 May 1913, Page 6

THE POLICE FORCE.

POSITION IN DUNEDIN

NO KNOWLEDGE OF AUCKLAND ASSOCIATION. Lpbess association telegrami DUNEDIN. May 12. Inquiries made among members of tlie local police force elicited the information that there is no understanding so far as they are concerned with the Auckland men in regard to the formation of a New Zealand Policemen’s Association. It was stated that no communication had been recdivedl'rom Auckland conveying any idea of what the aims of the Association were and consequently the Otago policemen were quite in the dark as to its real objects. It was p inted out that the northern men had placed themselves in a false position in tho preliminary movement by not waiting until all the members of the force in New Zealand had been written to as to the constitution of the Association, in that while there might he some grievances up north which were heavily felt in Otago, on the other hand the local., men might not see eye to eye on qtjhor points being ventilated by the It was not denied that Dunedin men did have some grievances. - Neither was it denied that there was no possibility of haying these ultimately remedied. A few of the pinpricks, as they were termed by one man, were illustrated and it was' remarked that while taken .singly there might not be a great deal in them, but when they were added together a state of affairs existed, which should not pre---■n 'lt was pointed opt,' jjcqyeyer, Will. -.ana in propoy that representations „ quarters had already brought abmit a remedy of one or two existing grievances. So far as any suggested understanding with the Auckland men was concerned the last word way ' cnat until the local w vT.„!ii,. .1 ..1 . Knew exactly w at t io sted for, it could hardly rely Oil support from men in other centres and “then, of course,” briefly stated one man, “in the final issue we would have to consider the fact that we are not using constitutional methods to obtain redress.”

ASSOCIATION WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. STATEMENT PA’ THE MINISTER. AUCKLAND, May 12. A statement regarding the' grievances ventilated by members of the police force and concerning the formation of the Association of its ’members will bo made by the Minister for Justice on his return to Wellington. Ho informed a reporter this evening that until he has perused tho reports furnished to him by the Commissioner of Police upon inquiries made in the .mu- centres he cannot discuss the matter. Between 50 and 60 constables met the Minister at the City Station this afternoon, but, according to a statement made by Mr Herd man afterwards, tbt' meeting did not disclose any new developments. Five or six men addressed the Minister, but their complaints were personal and not general. _ One man asked whether the Association formed by the men would be allowed to continue, and Air Rerdman made it dear that no organisation of tho kind would be tolerated. He assured the men that ho would not allow any labor leader to interfere with the discipline of the force or to sow discontent among its members. Ho stated, however, that the men would have full liberty to meet in the billiard room of the station to discuss- their affairs and any spokesman appointed to represent them would be received and consideration given to the' representations made by them. -Mr Herdman informed a reporter that ho has agreed to receive the AVellington detective force on his return and beyond this interview had no further personal inquiries t-o make concerning tlie condition of'affairs in tho nolice force.