THE POLICE FORCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14208, 3 November 1909, Page 8

THE POLICE FORCE.

MR. DINNIE'S REPORT.

INCREASE IN BURGLARY AND

THEFT.

[BY TELEGRAM.— CORRESPONDENT.]

Wellington, Tuesday. ■The- annual report on the police force of the Dominion, which was presented to 'Parliament to-day, states that the number of offences reported to the police during 1908 showed an increase of 305 on those of 1907. The proportion of offences to the population was 2.33 per cent, last year, as against 2.37 during 1907. The principal increases during last year were in burglary (126), deserting and failing to provide for wives and children (126), drunkenness (140), and theft (228). The principal decreases were common assaults (118), breaches, of the peace (135), and trespass (107). The report states the increase (126) in the number of burglary cases and theft (228) lias resulted partly through the influx to the Dominion of an unusual number of Australian criminals and partly to the licensing of bookmakers and the indiscriminate granting of betting, licenses by racing authorities, which has induced a number of Australian undesirables to become bookmakers, who, with their when not engaged in bookmaking, resort to crime. Juvenile offenders are responsible for many of these offences.

In regard to the discipline and efficiency of the force the Commissioner, Mr. Dinnie, whose report bears the date of June 4 last, remarks: — It cannot be said that egotism is my forte, but I do claim that the police force of the Dominion compares most favourably with any other police force, and that our system is superior to many, and I say so with a varied knowledge of police forces generally which few possess. Anonymous press correspondents have occasionally commented * disparagingly in respect to the organisation, etc., of the force, but as the source from which such comments emanated was apparent, ajid the motive a personal and vindictive one, intended to mislead the public, their attempts to decry the Department were treated with silent contempt. A satisfactory explanation of any representation made detrimental to the force is always available when required by the proper authority." The report contains the following paragraph in regard to offensive publications: — For some years past there has been a noticeable development in a section of the press of a type of immoral literature, which is totally unfit for publication and which is a disgrace to the public press of the Dominion. It consists principally of extracts specially selected from Police, Supreme, and Divorce Court proceedings, dealing with divorce and sexual offences, which are commented on with no regard to social consequences. Drastic legislation seems necessary in or dor to suppress all such corrupt journalism.'' Inspector Cullen, in his report on the Auckland district, states: "The condition of crime in this district during the year 1908 has been normal, with the exception of the crime of housebreaking, which, shows a considerable increase hi the number of offences committed as compared with the preceding year. This increase is entirely due to the depredations of youths and boys; 10 youths accounting for' no fewer than 76 of the number of housebreaking cases reported. I am sorry to state that iuvenile criminals are very much in evidence and on the increase in and about the city of Auckland."