THE POLICE COMMISSIONERSHIP.

NZ Truth, Issue 106, 29 June 1907, Page 4

THE POLICE COMMISSIONERSHIP.

Police Commissioner Dirinie is now entering his last term as boss bobby, m New- Zealand, and consequently there is . a ■ lot of talk not alone confined to police circles concerning the appointment of Dinnie's successor. It is whispered, and whether the whisper is true or not 'Truth" Cannot say, that m the event of Dinnie being offered another, engagement he will- not accept it. Of course, if Dinnie was re-appointed there would be a \lot of murmurs, arid nobody, is foolish enough to sky that under Dinnie's 'management has the Police Force ; improved. The ■ scandalous maladministration under the Dinnie regime is\. sufficient to warrant a Rbyal. Commission of Ini4uiJ?y, and if Dinnie 'Was reappoinjted this paper,- at any ra^e would lose .1 little time m wanting to know the reason; why. Moreover, too, what valid reason can be given for going outside of New Zealand for a man capable of controlling th§ Police Force! The experiment of appointing local men m several Australian States has been very, satisfactory,- and m other States, where Scotland Yard at 'Ome had to beraked with a Ismail tooth-comb for a •briny bobby to 'take charge, the experiment, as m New Zealand has turned out a miserable frost, Of. course, the prospect of a local man filling Dinniei's sfyoes is much can,vassed/and already several names, those of three or four Police Inspectors m the colony, have been mentioned, and though Cullen, of Aucklahd, has been going it pretty strong and making every post a winning post, the fact remains that Culfen's • appointment would be a very unpopular one. Of course, we may be anticipating things, Cullen might not have bis eye on the Commissioner-ship ; but it is just as well to take any possible advantage to show that Cullen ought not to be appointed. There are lots of other inspectors whose records are brilliant ; who have proved that, they possess brains and tact, and know the ropes pretty well. The Inspector m Wellington, Mr Ellison., is no doubt one of these few policemen m New Zealand, and his appointment to such a position as Commissioner would be a popular one. Anyhow, "Truth" does not wish to advocate the claim of any particular gentleman. What we want is a Convmissi'oner appointed m New Zealand. These expensive importations might be very ami able, persons, very acceptable to Society, high Society la-di-da Society, but Society of that kind is a specie on the horizon compared to the practical good a practical Police Commissioner can do. Society buttsr-fiies, who give afternoon teas and Ai^ Honws, are no use to this colony. \lf a Boss Policeman wants to be\a success, he must be prepared to rouVh. it 'ike an ordinary; "slop/- on the beatj ■