THE POLICE COMMISSION.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVII, Issue 10239, 31 August 1909, Page 4

THE POLICE COMMISSION.

(Per Piiess Association.) Auckland, August 30. At the Police Commission to-day, Mr Kettle said lie did not approve of the police being employed to trap persons committing offences. -He stated that he had reason to believe tliat_ the }3olice had been instructed to report upon magistrates, and indicated that the inspector had been eoricerrted. Inspector Gallon emphatically denied the allegation. Mr Kettle accepted his cusclaimer. Inspector Gullen then stated that he was informed that a* magistrate had reported privately to a Minister in regard to himself. Mr Kettle said lie knew nothing 'of any such proceedings.

Mr Dinnie: You think tile sergeants are worthy of the promotion tliey have received? —I certainly think so. Take Sergeant Ramsay, for instance. He is in every way a capable and efficient officer.

Mr Dinnie: So that you do not agree with Mr Taylor, M.P., who stated in the House that Ramsay should not be in the force ?—I certainly do not.

Mr Dinnie: You have referred to want of discipline?— Yes. J'liere is a lack of discipline.' everywhere. You find it in all branches of employment. There is the. need for"'an all-round screwing up.

Mr Dinnie: How far does political influence affect the Police Force? —I cannot say that it obtains at all. How could I know whether it did or not? Members of Parliament, the Liquor party, or any' other body might seek to nso influence, but I, of course, cannot say whether they would succeed.

! Dr Sharman, police, surgeon, gave evidence iii regard to the allegations that the members of the force were dissatisfied with'him.' He said that eight persons out of every 10 were satisfied with him. The strain of night duty seemed to have a detrimental effect upon some of tlie members of the force, and he suggested that there should bo a difference in summer and winter clothing. Mr C. H. Poole, M.P., said that a great deal of' the work of the police consisted in enforcing the provisions of the Licensing Act, and he alleged that they were often subjected to intimidation. They should be protected from any such interference from whatever source it might come. He stated that appeals to political influence were becoming quite commonplace in New Zealandj and that hardly a day passed without members of Parliament being appealed to for some sort' of favors. The Commission then adjourned till to-morrow.

Auckland, August 31. At the Police Commission this morning Mr Poole, M.P., said' that political influence . was rife. Every department should have the support of the Crown in guarding its officers against it, and the Commissioner of Police should be free of all influence. He knew a case in which political influence obtained, but was boil nd to confidence not to disclose the information: He agreed, however, to admit Mr Bishop to confidence at the close of the Commission.