POLICE COMMISSION.

Mataura Ensign, 20 July 1909, Page 3

POLICE COMMISSION.

—; * DUNEDIN SITTING ENDED. TEB UNITED PKESa ASSOCIATION. DUNEDIN, July 19. At the Police Commission to-day evidence was given by a number of sergeants and by Mr Gumming, agent for the Patients aud Prisoners' Aid Sooiety. Tho Commission has now finished its sittings here, and has adjourned to sit at Oaniaru on Wednesday. INDIGNATION AT WELLINGTON. WELLINGTON, July 19. Upwards of forty members of tho Wellington police met to-night, and tho following resolutions wore carried unanimously : "That this meeting views with grave concern the proceedings at the Dunedin sitting of tho Policy Commission of Inquiry into tho New Zealand police force, inasmuch as it is reported: (1) That grossly untruo assertions as to misconduct in Wellington police barracks, etc.. wero made by Mr Arnold, M'.P.: (2) that Constable 0. H. Lennou, formerly of Wellington, but now an assistant clerk in tho Dunedin polico office, has been described by Inspector O'Brien as a "pet" from another district and was denied tho right of cross-examination of his accusers, whereas others were allowed to freely cross-examino nonaccusers adversely criticised absentee officers: (3) that Mr Bishop. S.M., has now publicly acknowledged that previous commission of inquiry into the Now Zealand police, and oi which he was chairman, framed its report severely dealing with officers, at least partially from newspaper reports of its proceedings, and having regard to the apparent seriousness of the situation, this meeting desires to express its full appreciation of and confidence in our present Commissioner of Police, Mr Dinnio, and furl her resolves to employ able counsel to represent tho police of Wellington and suburbs at the approaching sitting of the Royal Commission in this city, so that protection of the individual and collective rights of all concerned may be insured, and that justice, fair play and truth may prevail."

THE .MIN'ISTEU'S VIKAVK. CUIUSTCHPRCH, Julv 20. The Hon. Dr Findlay (Minister for ■Justice) in an interview to-dny touched on the subject of the Police. Commission. He saiil it was impossible to make any statement as to tlio itinerary or the period which it would Kit, these points being left entirely to the Commissioner, Mr Bishop, S.M., who would )«o wherever there was reasonable ground for investigation. The order of reference was in the usual form, and there was no intention of imniising a limitation for the junjKiKC of preventing a nroper investigation. The complaints were made not in any case in regard to the dismissal of constables who should have been retained, but. the retention of men who should have been dismissed. All the ground concerning theso matters the Commissioner had full authority to cover, and he was glad to see fbat. Mr Tlishoo was using his powers ; n wise latitude.