BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 July 1928, Page 2

BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

DEBATE IN COMMONS

(United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.)

LONDON, July 12,

On the Homo Office vote, Mr Snowden, in the absence of Mr Ramsay MacDonald, criticised the appointment of Lord Bvng, along the lines indicated by the questions. Ho said the Labourites did not desire in any way to disparage Lord Byng’s high military gifts and character, but they believed his experience from the viewpoint developed in a military career was a disqualification, not a recommendation for the Police Commissionership.

ilr Snowden objected to the steady policy of appointing military men to chief positions. There were instances throughout the.country of the growing militarisation of the police, which destroyed the intimate confident sympathy between the police and the public.

Sir Jovnson ’Hiclcs, replying, admitted at the beginning of the year there existed a feeling in the public mind against the police, whose efficiency depended on popularity. Fifty, and even ten, years ago, the Force had the affection of the people. Sir W. T. F. Honvood had intimated his desire to retire in February. He. had dismissed his successor with Mr Baldwin. A high police officer, still in the service, had declined the position. He failed to obtain a suitable man from the Civil -Service, and discussed the position with business men, hut found no business man capable of controlling twenty thousand a year. Finally, lie discussed the names of qualifications with Lord Byng, who suggested a serving military officer, who refused. He began to feel Lord Byng was the right man. The latter had firmly refused on the ground of age, and a desire for retirement.

Sir Jovnson Hicks said, it was then he used the much discussed remark.. Ho told Lord Byng ho was not offering him the appointment, hut it was the stern call to duty. That > was the only way he could get Lord Byng. Following the speeches in the Commons on May 17, showing the feeling against the police, Mr Baldwin had agreed that they had better go outside the service for a mail whose character, experience, ability and idealism would uplift him from a petty dispute, and restore public confidence in the police. He believed there was never a force of twenty thousand men more courteous or admirable, or desirous of doing their duty. He wanted the police to get hack their popularity, despite the problems arising from the Savidge case, street offences, “third degree,” commission increase, motoring offences and traffic control. The Minister appealed to the House and public for fair play for the police and Lord Byng. Mr T E. Naylor (Labour) declared that giving the. Police-Commissioner-ship to a member of the Upper Chamber violated all traditions of the Constitution. He moved to reduce the public vote £IOO- - Joynson Hicks said Lord Byng had undertaken not to attend the Lords while Commissioner. Viscountess Astor declared she was glad Sir W. T. F. Honvood was going because he had done nothing to encourage the appointment of women 1 Mr O’Connor quoted a provincial chief constable’s statement to a judge. “Too many receivers of stolen P r °" pertv escape when Scotland Yard is asked to make arrests.” He suggested that corruption lias begun near tli to ,Sir 'Joynson Hicks asked Mr O’Connor to supply particulars, and promised an inquiry. The motion was rejected by 231 to 106.

SAVIDGE TRIBUNAL REPORT. LONDON, July 12. Tn the Commons, Sir Joynson Hicks admitted that lie had received two reports from tho Savidge Tribunal, one signed by Messrs Bankes andL W ithers and the other by Messrs Leo ■ ami Smith. He hoped they would be table during the week-end.