VICTORIAN POLICE

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 57, 6 February 1925, Page 5

VICTORIAN POLICE

THE RECENT STRIKE. REPORT BY THE COMMISSION. [By Electric Telegraph.— Copyright.] Received February G, 9.65 a.m. MELBOURNE, Feb. 6. The report of the Police Commission states: "AVe are of the opinion that the non-restoring of pensions created a situation in which, and in which alone, a general strike in the police force became a possibility. While not wishing to reflect on Mr Nicholson's capacity on the ground of his age, we are of the opinion that it was a decided handicap to any man to enter upon the arduous duties cf commissioner of the police force at an age when insufficient years remain to the holder of the office to enable him to acquire experience in many problems which confront him, and to work out his schemes and policies." Commenting further, the report says: "However desirable it may have been' to exercise more supervision over the constables on beat duties, it was not wise to exercise such duties through the agency of men in plain clothes. Anything which is in the nature of spying is likely to bo repugnant to a body of men, the majority of whom do not feel conscious of thenecessity for being spied upon." The report adds: 'Jit would have been much more judicious and in accordance with the sane demands of the situation it th Chief Commissioner, upon the fact..- •■ iiig reported to him, ha 1 quietly orui'icJ the suspension of tho men concerned and had them charged in accordance with tho provisions of tho Police Regulations Act, which is designed to meet such a case. Temperate action of this nature might well have operated greatly to restrict the subsequent trouble."—Press Association.

The strike, or mutiny, of the Victorian police force began in Melbourne, as the result of the action of the heads of the force in instituting a system of inspection owing to the alleged slackness of the men on night duty. The refusal of the force to carry out their duties resulted in a sensational outburst of lawlessness and violence; and great damage was done. Several people were killed and injured. Order was restored by the co-operation of the military with the loyal police and special constables. The striking police were dismissed from the force.