CHARGES AGAINST POLICE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 31 March 1936, Page 5

CHARGES AGAINST POLICE

THE ROYAL COMMISSION OF ENQUIRY MR LAZZARINI TO GIVE EVIDENCE (United Press Association—By Electrio Telegraph—Copyright) ■ , SYDNEY, 30tli March. The Labour member of Parliament, Mr C. C. Lazzarini, who made charges ' in Parliament against police methods used in betting raids and prosecutions, . attended to-day’s sitting of the Royal Commission to investigate these and - similar charges, and expressed willingness to tender evidence in regafcT to a number of cases in which police and their agents are allegedly involved. He pointed out that while lie favoured a select committee of investigation rather than a Royal Commission he was now anxious to combat rumours that he . was running away from the charges he had made in Parliament, also a rumour that he had received a bribe to remain away from the commission. , The - commissioner, Judge Markcll,said he would be glad to deal with these cases after Easter. Police Commissioner Mackay gave further evidence, saying that when ho took over the commissionership he resolved to eliminate as far as possible the use of agents and, in the course of a series of addresses to the police betting squad, he emphasised that “If you cannot get cases cleanly do not get them at all.” It had since been a ■ rule of the Police Department that two policemen should corroborate the evidence of a police agent. He added; Betting in this country is supposed to be a religion and the inclination of 75'-‘ per cent, of people is that the betting laws are harsh. For that reason the policy must be doubly careful. Mr E. L. Sanders, a Government, member of the Legislative Assembly,"'said a number of his clients had sought his assistance in getting remission-of •- betting lines. Others had complained about police actions. Mr Sanders produced a statement from Alfred Ingram, who declared that he had paid Sergeant Jennings, North Sydney, £2O a month for nearly a year in order to; enjoy immunity from prosecution for. illegal betting. Mr Sanders added that he was reliably informed that the police were constantly raiding one hotel at North Sydney while another nearby escaped. The commission adjourned till 15th April. When the Royal Commission opened ■> it was announced that two. Labour ... M.’sP. Messrs Lazzarini and Clyne, who " J made charges against the police in - Parliament did not intend to appear ' before the commissioner. ' .‘7,