THE POLICE COMMISSION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIX, Issue 11557, 19 April 1898, Page 4

THE POLICE COMMISSION.

The Police Commission commenced its work in Christchurch yesterday, and will probably be here for a fortnight. The gentlemen composing the Commission have, in their conduct at the inquiry at other centres, shown themselves deserving of public confidence, and we feel assured that they wall display the same spirit of impartiality and the same desire to obtain full information during the sitting of the Commission in Christchurch. We shall offer no comment in the meantime upon the evidence of Inspector Broham; for much as we dissent from some of hia statements, we shall do nothing that might savour of an attempt to influence the public judgment during the time the Commission is in session here. We'trust, however, that our readers will carefully peruse what the Inspector said regarding the strength, efficiency and discipline o£ the police force, the baneful effects of political influence and the system, of rewards, the need of a pension fund, and the desirableness of various detail reforms in the organisation of the force. Despite the fact that so much dissatisfaction has been, expressed in this district, there is, apparently, no large number of: witnesses coming forward with grievances or suggestions. !Now that thei Commission has been set up, it is to be hoped that the public will facilitate its quest by every means possible, so that it may have material from which to compile a report and make recommendations for reform. The small attendance of people at the proceedings ou the opening day we do not interpret as betraying a lack of interest in tbe inquiry. It i* rather a sign of confidence that the newspaper Press will provide a full and accurate account of all that transpires.