POLICE ADMINISTRATION.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 3262, 20 October 1897, Page 2

POLICE ADMINISTRATION.

A ROYAL COMMISSION TO BE APPOINTED. The PREMIER, in the House yesterday afternoon, said bo wished to make a statement. The references which had been made about the police in that House hud caused, considerable agitation in the country. The Government had. taken up the position that they would do nothing till the new Inspector (Mr Tunbridge) arrived from London. The Commissioner had now arrived, and , the Minister of Defence and himself and Mr Tunbridge had conferred. The selection ot. Mr Tunbridge was proof positive that the Government had not. been satisfied with the state of the force for some time. He had stated to that Bouse some time ago that there had been a laxity. In any action they! bad taken there was no wish to throw any reflection on Colonel Hume. He was brought hero to supervise prisons, and was then transferred to the supervision of. the police. It bad been conceded that a military man was not the man to look after the police. It hod therefore been decided to secure the services of a man whose experience would earn him universal respect. Having placed the position before their new Commissioner— Mr TAYLOR : What position ? The PREMIER i The condition of the

force. As fares passible, the position bad been placed before the now Commissioner, and the Government intended to give him a free hacd, untrammelled in any way, shape or form. Asked if ho thoughtan enquiry should be made into tbe condition of tbe force, Mr Tunbridge bad said that light should be let into the matter for the sake of the whole force by a Royal Commission. Therefore the Government bad decided that a Royal Commission should be held, and that the Inspector should be on the Commission. In a short time be (the Premier) would announce the personnel of the Commission. He said' he thought it advisable that they should have the services of a Stipendiary Magistrate on the Commission. Mr TAYLOR asked if there were to bo only two persons on the Commission—the Commissioner and a Stipendiary Mag.strate ?

The PREMISE said ho had said that it was advisable that a Stipendiary Magistrate sbonld be appointed. His questioner could take it in the. sing alar or plural, whichever ho liked. (Laughter) Sir EGBERT STOUT, referring to this proposal in the House last night, asked how could Royal Commissioners appointed by Ministers investigate the conduct of Ministers t The whole thing was an absurdity.