THE POLICE AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8481, 16 July 1913, Page 2

THE POLICE AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE

To the Editor "N..Z Times." Sir.—A snort time there was signs of uissatistacuon among the ponce in general, especially in Auckland. Tne result was mat there were parades called at the lour centres 11/ the Uommissiouer oi Bonce tor tas purpose ot nuuiug out wuat grievances did exist. •Now, as the writer attended, the parade in Auckland he is in a position to state what took. place. In the lirst place the parade was herd in the yard and then adjourned to tuo billiard room, where the men were invited to come forward with their grievances, which they did. i»r (Juiieu begun to find out that it was not only a lew men that were dissatisfied, but ih> percent, oi the men on jmrade. The parade parsed over without anyone being dismissed. About a forungnt afterwards Mr Cullen arrived back in Auckland with Mr Uerdman and held another inquiry.' shortly after the in quiry the men of Auckland began to get transferred all over l\ew Zealand, and, strange to say, it was only tue men that •poke out at me inquiry that were transferred. First came Smyth to (Jreymouth. next Bruton to tireymoum, /inker to (jisbome, iiammeiisy to Dunedin. and Mills to Westport. Several of the men appealed, hut got no satisfaction. Constable Mills on being notified that he was transferred to Westport, appealed to the Minister of Justice to reconsider his transfer, and if he could not see his way clear to lot him remain ,n Auckland to consider if he could not have him transferred to a Waroie/ climate than that of Westport. .But his appeal was ignored, and on June 30th ne was informed that he was to go to Westport on July Ist or resign. Mills took his preference and resigned. Con-

stable Mills joined the police force on April 3rd. 1911. About six months after joining, while on duty, he was alighting Irom a tram car ami stood on a stone, and while endeavouring to keep his balance he twisted his side, went off sick that night, was attended by the police doctor, and the next evening removed to hospital, where he went under a severe operanon. Auer being in the hospital, lor fourteen weeks ho was recommended six weeks’ sick leave to go to a warm climate, namely, Australia, lie went there, returned anil resumed duty on February 20Ih. 1912. and on March Sth. 1912, an many people will remember, he was assaulted in Urey street by three men, kicked about the body, taken to hospital, unconscious, and was laid up for a month. The result is that now the cold weather affects hi» health. Thai is why ho declined to go to Westport, as he had medical advice that if ne did so he would be a cripple in three months. Mills served in the police force in Auckland for two years and three months, and was discharged with a clean sheet. Therefore it has not been explained why the department took such a stand.—l am. etc.. ON MY WOIID OF HONOUR. Auckland. July 10th,