DETECTION OF CRIME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20366, 21 September 1929, Page 13

DETECTION OF CRIME.

INCREASE OF POLICE FORCE.

STRENGTH OF DETECTIVE UNIT.

STATEMENT BY MINISTER.

[by telegraph.—special reporter.] WELLINGTON. Friday.

An increase in tho police force was announced by tho Minister in charge of tho Police Department, tho Hon. T. M. Wilford, when tho Police Estimates wero under consideration in tho House to-day. Tho Minister said the now methods of criminals had to bo countered, and although more motor-cars wore required it was not possible to do much in that regard at presont. Mr. Wilford said it was proposed to provido on the Supplementary Estimates for the engagement of 30 additional policemen for the Dominion. New Zealand, on a population basis, had more detectives than Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria combined.

In regard to tho queries of members as to* why more crime was not detected, the Minister said it had to bo recognised that many of tho offences reported as not detected in the last year had been unravelled sinco. Only recently an international safe-blower had been arrested. There had been 40 safe-blowing offences, but none had occurred sinco the apprehension referred to. Consideration must bo taken of tho possibility of a number of tho crimes having been committed by that man.

WORK OF NURSES.

CONDITIONS TO BE BETTER

PROMISES BY MINISTER

[Br TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON, Friday.

"This is not merely lip service," said the Minister of Health, the Hon. A. J. Stallworthy, in stating in the House today that ho intended to do everything in his power to improve tho salaries and working conditions of nurses.

To show that ho had been animated by that desire from tho beginning of his Ministerial career, Mr. Stallworthy said ho had countermanded an order so that nurses could secure their pay in good time last Christmas. He had been engagod in constructive methods to securo better conditions for nurses. Activo steps were also being taken in regard to nurses in St. Helens hospitals, his object being to secure an eight hours day, one day a week clear, and such other amenities as were possible, having regard to tho exigencies of tho service.

MEMBERS DISAGREE.

TWO LABOUR SUPPORTERS

CHARGE OF WASTING TIME

[llY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL RErORTER.] WELLINGTON. Friday.

Birds in the Labour nest do not. always agree. 3s was revealed by an incident in the House to day. Mr. P. Fraser (Labour —Wellington Central) roso whilo the Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward, was still on his feet to suggest that Sir Joseph, in appealing to members not to waste time, was wasting time himself.

Tho Prime Minister: I thank you for your facetiousness. Mi\ Fraser said tho Prime Minister was making a plea to get on with the work, and , then ho did the thing for which ho had reprimanded other members.

The Prime Minister: I had a perfect right, ~ Mr. Fraser: I am not denying the Prime Minister's right to waste time. "Some of our own party aro wasting the time of tho Houso," called Mr. W, L. Martin (Labour —Raglan). Mr. Fraser: What party? Mr. Martin: The Labour Party. Mr. A. M. Samuel (Reform —Thames) : He's rattled.

Mr. Fraser (to Mr. Martin): I hope tho hon. member is speaking for himself. Mr. Martin: I am speaking for you. Mr. Fraser did not continue speaking much longer, and his next action was to visit Mr. Martin's bench for a conference. No smiles were exchanged.

POLICE MOTOR-CARS.

PREFERENCE TO BRITAIN.

[BY . TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON. Friday.

An announcement that all the new police motor-cars to be bought this year would, with tho consent of tho Cabinet, be of Bfitish make, was made by the Minister in chargo of tho Polico Department, the Hon. T. M. .Wilford, in tho House to-day. "In the different departments of State we give preference to British cars," said the Minister. "For certain purposes wo cannot do away with the use of one particular American car; tho name of it I need not mention."