N.Z. POLICE ASSOCIATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15412, 22 September 1913, Page 9

N.Z. POLICE ASSOCIATION.

MORE MEN WANTED. DISCUSSED BY AUCKLAND MEN. Allegations that Auckland is understaffed as regards police protection, were made at a well-atwnded meeting of the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Police Association, held on Friday evening. ■ - Members stated that, owing to the understaffmg at present existing ? many constables were not receiving their proper allowance of time off duty. Many reasons were assigned for the ranks being somewhat depleted. It was pointed out that the Police Department was receiving £600 a year from the City Council for controlling the traffic, but the Department had not supplied any extra men to do the work, with the result that eight men had had to be drawn from ordinary beat duty for this special work.. This meant that constables ■ generally were unable to get their full time off. It was also stated that extra work had been entailed by the withdrawal of five men for the use of the Health Department in connection with the epidemic. The opinion was freely expressed that the officials at the head of affairs in Auckland were doing their best with the limited number of men at their disposal, but at the same time it was" thought that the Police Department should increase the staff at Auckland by a considerable number of men. After the matter had been discussed at length, a.resolution was passed to the effect that more constables should be supplied to Auckland. A number of other grievances ' were discussed, but as various members of Parliament were interesting themselves in them, it was decided to postpone any definite action until matters had heen thrashed out on the floor of the House. Referring to the resolution regarding more constables being sent to Auckland, an official of the association stated that it was not intended to forward it to Wellington, but it was thought that the passing of the resolution would enlighten the public as to the actual state of affairs in Auckland, and result in the Department having Auckland policed, as the public had a right to expect it to be. A number of new members were enrolled at the meeting, and the roll now numbers, in Auckland district,, nearly 100 members.