Police Commissioner’s Reply

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 277, 23 November 1945, Page 6

Police Commissioner’s Reply

(Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Nov. 21. The report published in Auckland regarding discontent in the Police Force was replied to by the Commissioner (Mr. J. Cummings). Some of the men, he said, were disappointed at being unable to resign on the conclusion of hostilities. A number were held during the war beyond the retiring age to maintain the strength of the force and temporary men were taken on with an assurance that if they passed the necessary examination and were favourably reported on they would be retained. Some of these had tendered their resignations and some had been accepted. Other men had been released owing to medical unfitness. The younger men had been pressing from time to time that the men reaching 65 years of age should retire to give the younger men better opportunities. At present no member of the force could be released without the authority of the Minister. It was true that long hours had been worked, but the men were paid approximately Is 6d a day for seven days a week for this overtime. Regarding transfers, Mr. Cummings said the department had treated the men liberally with lodging allowance when housing was not available. It was not practicable to defer transfers till housing was available. In a number of cases representations to the Government regarding housing for married men had met with success.

It was true that there had been an increase in crime recently, hut, in most cases, the offenders had been arrested.