THE POLICE AND COMPULSION.

Northern Advocate, 2 December 1916, Page 3

THE POLICE AND COMPULSION.

.STATEMENT BY THE .MINISTER

WELiXGTOX, November 30

A correspondent oi' the "'livening J'oi-t''. lias written in reference to the pobitioii of policemen under the Military Service Act Jle considers it quite unfair that the police, a large number of whom have offered to enlist and have boon refused permission to leave the force, should now be balloted for and classed among the shirkers. He states that if this course is to be taken the police may resign in a both , and enlist, and that such a course ia under contemplation. Home dozens of policemen have enlisted, but have had to resign, and have received their superannuation money back again, while members of several other Government Departments are allowed to let their superannuation run on, and aro receiving half-pay from their Departments as well. Besides this, they have also been given a promise that, should they return home capable of pursuing their former occupation, they will be taken on again. " Why are members of the police force not treated in something.of the same way? ,, he asks. On being shown this letter, the Hon. A L. llerdinan, "Minister in chfiTge'of the Police, said he was well aware that the men who are eligible for service in the army have been anxious to resign from the police force in order that they might serve at the front. "It is ridiculous to suggest that the police are shirkers. The responsibilty for keeping the police here rests with the Government. Long ago I came to the conclusion that it is in the public interest that the police should not be allowed to enlist. It is exceedingly difficult to keep the police force up to its full strength in view of the fact that so many of the abie-bodied men, who are of an age which would qualify them selves to become suitable policeman, are required for military service. Tn every case in whi'b a member of the police force is drawn in a ballot I propose to apply for his exemption It is with the deepest, regret that T feel compelled, for public reasons, to refuse to allow men to leave, the force to enlist for active service. I know that the men are bitterly disappointed, but the safety of the publi; , in Now Zealand has to be safe.L'iwded The public. I hope, will dearly understand that the full responsibility for members of the force being debarred from rendering miltary service rests with the Government. The men have no choice in the matter. They are obliged to abide by the decison of the Government.