MAKING POLICEMAN'S LOT HAPPIER.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 22 September 1928, Page 3

MAKING POLICEMAN'S LOT HAPPIER.

“BEST CONSTABULARY IN HISTORY OF DOMINION ” SUPERANNUATION CLAIMS, WELLINGTON, Last Night.’ On resuming at 7.30 pan., the House immediately went into Committee of Supply further to consider the estimates, a vote of £428,072 for the Police Department being first taken. 'Sir Joseph Ward raised the question of the Commissioner's salary. £925, which he said, was lower than that paid to police Commissioners in any of the Australian States. Formerly it was £llOO, and he wanted to know why the present Commissioner was being paid less. . " • ■ . Mr. W, A. Yeitch appealed to the Minister to improve the working and Jiving".conditions of the force. The list of compassionate alolwances to the widows of deceased officers was eloquent testimony that these officers had not been in receipt of sufficient pay. Mr. D. G. Sullivan thought the present Force was perhaps tne best in the history of the country, but the arrangements fqr retiring on superannuation werp not satisfactory and he asked that this should be altered. The present Commissioner had rendered most efficient service and his remuneration would be increased accordingly. Mr. T. M. Wilford made ah appeal for the better treatment of the poLVe all round. They carried their lives in their hands and were always ready to do their duty. The Commissioner should receive equal pay with the chief of the Military Forces, for in times of peace, his services were all-important. Mr. W. E. Parry said he was not going to throw bouquets at the police, this being election year, but he did want to put in a plea for the policemen’s wives. Hon. Members: “Ah, ha 1 ’’ The Prime Minister: “That ought to get you in.’ - ’ In continuing, Mr. Parry said he thought the widows of . the police should receive a larger share of the superannuation paid during the of* their husbands ,as they had to participate in the sacrifice made. The Minister, in reply, said ho had a keen appreciation of the serviced rendered by the police force. The question of superannuation was a most difficult one, because it could not be dealt with in sections or in a hurry. If any alteration was made in one department, it would, df course, affect all other departments. It might be that the Avhole scheme of superannuation would have to be reviewed. With regard to the pay of the Commissioner, he was prepared to consider the matter, but he could not make any definite promise. The vote was then agreed to. *