POLICE PENSIONS

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 20 November 1925, Page 7

POLICE PENSIONS

MEN’S REQUEST REFUSED. A WESTRALIAN PROTEST RECENT STRIKE DISCLOSURES. RY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT. Received Nov. 20, 12.30 p.m. PERTH. Nov. 20. The Police Association, in the course of a statement protesting against the Government’s refusal to grant a pensions scheme, makes seriou s reference to the recent riot at Fremantle, when strikers attacked the police. Jhe statement alleges that the police were told not to use revo'vers unless they were in imminent danger. Ministerial sanction had to be obtained before the police could defend their persons, and the result was that a number of police were seriously injured. The statement proceeds: “The Government of the day should lay down the dictum that if the po’ice force is to he influenced by Government and Ministers, as it ha s been during recent years at Fremantle, as to the methods which it should use to defend the property and lives of the jneople, the police should be afforded some guarantee against the ever-present risks of being hamstrung by Governments.”

. The statement concludes: “Apparently the policy of the Minister in charge of the police is to arm the police Avith velvet gloves, instead of competent weapons. It is questionable whether tlie policy will rush into the next affray, in view of the manner the strikers' were dea/t with by the magistrates on this occasion.”