THE POLICE FORCE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8189, 2 August 1912, Page 1

THE POLICE FORCE.

IS THERE TROUBLE? OLD ACT TO BE REPEALED. THE SYSTEM OF PROMOTION. Tho police force was under discussion in tho House of Representatives yesterday. Tho question was opened by Sir Joseph Ward, who asked the Government to state what was tho system oi promotion in vogue. Ho had been informed that juniors had been promoted over the heads of competent seniors. The Hon. A. 1.. Herdman (Minister for Justice) said that if incompetent juniors hud been put over the heads of seniors it had not occurred since Mr Alassey had been made Prime Alinister. He understood in regard to promotions that while seniority was taken into consideration, juniors who displayed considerable talent and ability were given an opportunity of advancing in tho ranks. That was the principle. Of course, seniority to a largo extent guided the commissioner. He felt sure that that would bo readily recognised when it was remembered that there were 810 men in the force. •IS HE SOLE JUDGE?

AlrDavey. Is the commissioner the sole judge? Air Herdman: No; but the Alinister must be guided to a large extent by the commissioner.

Sir Joseph AVard said he was not suggesting that there had been any impropriety. Ho had received a communication recently on the subject, but he did not attach very much importance to things of that kind after his long experience of the Civil Service. All he wished to ascertain was the system of promotion, in Togiits dtu liOk wieu to that there had been anything wrong. Mr Herdman said the new Ministers were naturally in a difficult position, and they must to a large extent be guided by tho officers in charge of the various de partments. In such a large force as the Police Department controlled it was quite impossible to satisfy everybody. He had endeavoured to see that justice was done wherever a claim came before him for consideration. They had endeavoured to deal justly and fairly with the men. Mr Davey: Does the commissioner know every officer? Mr Herdman: I don’t suppose so. ■ Mr Davey: That is what'is causing trouble and discontent. NO TROUBLE KNOWN.

Mr Herdman: I don’t know, of any trouble'. The new commissioner ■ was not to spend all his time in AVellington. He would travel round the country, visit' all the stations and make himself acquainted with -the ' personnel' of the' force.' Mr J. Payne (Grey, Lynn) said there should be automatic promotion, in the Civil. Service, based upon length of sei,ice, merit; examination, and general; and personal character. . Mr.’S. ,AL. AVilford wanted to know whether the . Minister was making any proposals -in regard to-an • appeal - board for the force. - Mr Herdman had been very ardent on behalf of the police when in Opposition, and as late as last year he had asked the Minister for Justice whether in view of preventing any injustice being done to members of the force he would cause legislation to be introduced extending the same privileges to the police force in regard to, an appeal board as the railway employees enjoyed. He (Air AVilford) would now like to ■ know whether the force was to expect that privilege. NEW BILL DRAFTED.

Mr Herdman said a new Police Force Bill had been drawn, and it was the intention of the Government to repeal the ,ld Act. The Bill was now in the hands of the Crown Law Officers. ■ A clause had been inserted giving police officers the right to have their grievances ventilated. There was.no board of appeal proposed, blit there was the right of appeal from tho decision of an officer who did not hold a high grade.