THE POLICE COMMISSION.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVII, Issue 10240, 1 September 1909, Page 1

THE POLICE COMMISSION.

EVIDENCE BY MR C. H. POOLE.

(Per Peess Association.) Auckland, August 31. In giving evidence before the Police Commission to-day, Mr C. H. Poole, M.P., said there was no doubt that the appeal for political influence was becoming too common in this country. From day to day politicians were approached by people with grievances requiring redress and by people looking for political favors. Mr Bishop: Is there anything in regard to general administrtion that you would say ?

Mr Poole: Yes. I realise that it is hard to get a thoroughly efficient police force. 1 have been looking closely into the matter of recruiting, and it seems to me that there is a laxness here that should be abolished. A better allowance would probably entice better men. We have some of the finest men in the Dominion in our force, but their work is to a certain extent discredited by the inclusion of men who are absolutely unfit for the work. Again, though some people tell me that I am fanatical on the point, I think that in combating the liquor traffic there is a suggestion of, intimidation. Some are not afraid, but with others there is a shelving of the law and a neglect of duty. The recent outbreaks in Wellington caused quite an amount of consternation amongst the legislators. Take Constable Donovan's case. Because he tried to enforce the law in Coromandel ho had to suffer severely. Constable Dinni's is another case. They endeavored to grapple with the liquor traffic in Coromandel and Mercury Bay, and they feel that it is because of this that they have never received promotion. I think that tlie Commissioner should realise that a good deal of influence is used in this direction. Mr Poole said another point was that, with all due regard to Mr Kettle, the detectives, who were man-hunters, and the police, who we sent to hunt criminals, must not be censured because they had to "play the game" to trap men who were breaking the laws in a sly and secret way. They would have to offer a higher monetary consideration, and protcet the men from intimidation.

Mr Bishop: You are aware that the right class of young man is not coming forward to enrol r" —Y T es. I think there has been some laxness in the recruiting, and there is need for better monetary inducements being offered. Mr Bishop: How would you go about offering these inducements? —-It is easier to get recruits at certain times than at other times. For instance, during times of commercial depression there is a greater chance of getting men into tins force. Again, 1 tlnnK that there should be no need to go to Wellington to become enrolled. Provision should be made for recruiting in Auckland and other centres.

Mr Bishop: What about the education test!-'—As long as the monetary inducements are sufficient I do not think the fifth standard a very big hurdle. Another point is the instinctive dislike of the young men of New Zealand to any form of discipline. They like freedom. The same applies to our volunteer system. Another inducement would be the removal of intimidating influences. If a man does his duty he is sure to run up against a tough proposition, and lie should be protected bv his Department. . _ 'Mr Bishop: In what way?— Political influence is rife all through the country. Every department should have ihe support of che Crown in guarding its officers against it. Mr Bishop: You must know that some members of Parliament encourage that sort of thing?—Y'es, I know that; but I think we should improve tlie general tone and do all we can to remedy the evil.

Mr Dinnie: Do you think the Commissioner of Police should be free of all influence? —I do. Mr Dinnie: If a constable comes and makes a complaint to you that lie has been passed over, or has some other grievance, what would you do ? I would simply send his letter to the Minister. 1 have occasionally done that for men in different Departments. Mr Dinnie: You always got a reply? —Yes. They were not always favorable. Sometimes they were evasive, but a Ministerial reply, it not favorable, is never calculated to give an aching heart. They "have a courteous way of putting things. Mr Dinnie: Do you think that applicants have the idea that unfair methods obtain in the Department ? I must say irregularites have taken place which look like unfair metaods. Mr Dinnie: In what way?— Well, in the matter of promotions there are men who seem to have been unfairly passed over.

Mr Dinnie: Do you know of any case where political influence lias obtained? —Yes, I do; but I am bound in confidence not to disclose the information. Mr Dinnie: Will you admit Sir Bishop to that confidence? —Yes, I will do so at the end of the Commission. Mr Dinnie: You complain of laxness in recruiting? —Yes. I think men have got through. who should never have been accepted. I know it is possible to beat the ingenuity of the police officials at times. .For instance, I know of a case in which a man was employed in another Department to go round and put telephones in people's houses. That man got into the force by false pretences after serving 12 years m prison on different charges, and he is now locked up as an habitual criminal. Mr Poole went 011 to say that he thought the police of Auckland were a very fine body of men, but he did not want to think that the efficiency of the majority would in any way be impaired by the inefficiency of the minority. That was what he was aiming at in his remarks about intimidation. There was a danger that influence of this kind was going to seriously interfere with the efficiency of the force. A policeman should be so protected that he could do his duty without fear. Mr Bishop: Do you say that the fear of that influence now operates?— Yes. That fear does exist ? and I want to be one of those who will bring about the required emancipation. ' J. Cullen, part proprietor of a sporting newspaper, complained of favoritism having been shown by the police'in regard to a prosecution for publishing certain advertisements. He also "alleged that, the police harassed exprisoners in their employment, and he asserted that certain constables had been found guilty of drunkenness on their beats, and that there had been a differentiation in the punishment of such offenders. Mr Dinnie stated that every man charged with drunkenness wag dealt with° according to the merits of the The Commission then adjourned till to-morrow.