THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1923 POLICE CONTROL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19010, 5 November 1923, Page 6

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1923 POLICE CONTROL.

The trouble in the Police Force ’at Melbourne has led to scenes that have been discreditable to the reputation of that city. A message which we publish this morning gives details of serious rioting, accompanied by looting on a considerable scale, in one of the principal streets. This speedy sequel to the refusal of members of the night staff of the Police Force to carry out their duties only illustrates how thin a partition separates law and order and security from confusion and lawlessness and violence. In every great city there are elements in the population that are ready to take advantage of an opportunity of running wild and carrying wildness and sabotage as far as they may unchecked. Nothing could demonstrate more forcibly than these developments in Melbourne the value of a loyal and efficient police force, and the necessity for a basis of control, in the case of such a force, that shall be impervious to disturbing influences. The control can only be what it should be if there is adequate recognition in practice by its members of the obligations that rest upon the police force. The police constitute an indispensable protective body, and an organisation such as theirs must be absolutely dependable at all times. It caunot be that unless it is true to the traditions of obedience and discipline. The Victorian Cabinet has ruled that the discontented policemen in Melbourne must resume duty unconditionally. Any other decision would have amounted tc a disturbing admission, of weakness on the part of the Government, and woulo have furnished an unfortunate precedent. No fault can be found with the declaration of the Premier that discipline, efficiency, and loyalty in tinpolice force are essential to the maintenance of law and order ,in the conn munity, and that grievances caunot be considered in the face of a threat to strike. But what has happened seem 1 to amount to a police-stride in Melbourne, the reasonable recommendation of the Victorian Police Association notwithstanding. The necessity for the vindication of the authority of the State • where its own servants are concerned, in order that order may be maintained should lead the community to support it. in a thoroughly effective manner at sue; a juncture. The police force, even more conspicuously than any other branch ot the public service, stands in a specia relationship to the community as a whole. The idea of a strike on the part of its members, either in their own interests or in the interests of some othei organisation, cannot be entertained, that would simply spell unreliability or the one hand and lack of control on th other. It may be remembered that some years ago the Minister of Justice in New Zealand found it necessary tc take up a very firm attitude in respect o the proposed foundation of a Police Association. The adoption of this pro posal would have meant an alliance m the part of the police with interests tha; might be much attached to the strike weapon, and in strongly and successful! resisting the attempt to carry it throng the Minister—Mr Herdman then occn pied the position—laid down lucidly tin conditions that must plainly be acceptc. by the police force. It. is absolutely necessary that members of the force—and other members of the public servic. as well—should be responsible for the! conduct only to the heads of their cle partment and subject to their control In time of industrial trouble it is to the police that the people of a country must look for protection. The association o the police force with any other organisation or body of employees is inconi patible with its single-minded discharge of the function for which it exists, am with its untrammelled responsibility' t< the State. Members of the force win are unable to subscribe to these principles have chosen an occupation tc which they are really not suited. \Dis cipline is the key-note of efficiency in t K case of the police force, and it is for it members to bear always in mind, as r section of the force in Melbourne has not done, that they are public servants, am that there is a legitimate or const)tn. tional method of ventilating their grievances. Where it is shown that they ar< entitled to redress they may always rot on public support in the assertion ci their claim to it.

FISCAL POLICY AT HOME. The Protectionist versus Free Trade campaign adumbrated by Mr Stanley Baldwin at Plymouth little more than a week ago has developed with considerable rapidity. The issues have still to assume definite shape, and it may be in advisable to regard as in any sense authoritative the suggestions contained In our cabled messages as to the form the Government’s proposals will take. It is virtually beyond doubt, however, that the elector's will be called upon to pronounce judgment upon

certain phases of fiscal policy within the next few months. The Prime Minister himself is displaying an activity that is not devoid of boldness. There is a piquant flavour in the circumstance of the Conservative leader preaching protectionist doctrines —and, it is to be gathered, preaching them acceptably—in the great Free Trade Hall at Manchester, where the spirits of Cofaden and Bright might b« fancied to keep watch and ward over the sacrosanctity of their principles. Interesting, too, is the announcement of Mr Winston Churchill's renewed participation in political controversy. Mr Churchill has been out of Parliament since the general election’ of last November; and, if he contests the vacant seat at Glasgow, his chances of success, especially in a triangular struggle, will not be negligible. Meanwhile the hostility of the Labour Party to Protection in any form is being pronounced in unqualified form. It is increasingly clear that Mr Baldwin, in his hazardous enterprise, will have to rely solely on Conservative support in the constituencies; and it is difficult to avoid a surmise that the substautial majority returned to support Mr Bonar Law twelve months ago is not unlikely to disappear. No doubt the new policy will arouse genuine enthusiasm in a large section of the Conservative Government Party, but some measure of defection is inevitable, and not a few of Mr Baldwin’s supporters will be of opinion that the Government, with its working preponderance in the present House of Commons, should have been able to do useful work for at least two or three years, and that the possibilities of suoh usefulness are being recklessly jeopardised. A debacle like that of January, 1906, which had been in preparation for a long time, is hardly to be anticipated, but it is only too probable that the composition of the next Parliament may be of such an inconclusive kind as to make stable government a matter of great difficulty. It is not to be supposed that the Labour Party has made anything like sufficient progress in the brief space since the last general election to give it a clear majority, although the incomplete results of the municipal elections at Home may, at first sight, convey a different impression; but it would not be surprising to find the combined forces of Labour and Liberalism at least equal to those of Conservatism. It is a perplexing and somewhat disqiiieting outlook. Mr Ramsay MacDonald has declared that Labour will not concentrate solely on the antiprotection principle: the country will be asked to endorse the entire Labour programme with all its crude Empireisms.' This circumstance may cause many moderate people who have no love for protectionist ideas to refrain from deserting the Conservative standard. THE BRITISH EMPIRE EXHIBITION. We publish this morning an appeal to the sheep farmers of Otago, to whom application has already been made for donations of fleeces of their best wool for inclusion in the exhibit of New Zealand wool which is to be prepared for the British Empire Exhibition. The response which has been received from the sheep owners of this provincial district has so far been unsatisfactory. It is probable that there is a quite intelligible explanation of this. What is everybody's business is frequently interpreted as nobody’s business, and it seems likely that many sheep owners have refrained from undertaking to supply fleeces in the expectation that the Canterbury District Committee, which is responsible for the collection of the wool, would be embarrassed by the number of offers of help it received. If it was through the’ existence of this impression that the majority of the growers in Otago ignored the application for fleeces that was made to them, they will now see that it was a mistaken impression; and we hop© that they will individually recognise that their personal co-operation is earnestly desired in order that the wool exhibit-from New Zealand may be creditable to the Dominion and be worthy of the reputation which this country possesses for the quality of its clips. Nine bankruptcies were notified in the latest issue of the New Zealand Gazette. Light of the number were in the North Bland. The secretary of the Ripponvole Fruit Lackers (Ltd.) informs us that the statement in our report of the annual meeting ;o the effect that the packing shed “should .lot be used for religious services on Sundays except ia case of absolute necessity” ,s incorrect, the decision being .that the died should not be used lozs secular purposes except in case of absolute necessity. At a sitting of the Juvenile Court oa .Saturday morning, presided over by Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M., two infant childten, whoso parents are in indigent circumitancos, were committed to the Cavershara industrial School. Four boys, who had been .niertering with slot telephones, were admonished and discharged. They had been under the care of the probation officer for ,ix months. Thu question of the continued blockage of the Manuka Uorge road was discussed ,t tlie meeting of the Otago Expansion ..oague Executive on Friday night, and he steps taken by the league in an enieaveur to overcome the difficulties were j.itlincd. As it is growing increasingly evident that the road will not be available or the holiday traffic this summer a member pointed cut that .there was an alterative summer route independent of Bruce ‘ounty through Outran) and Waipori to Lawrence. Motorists could take the old Dunstan road from Out ram to Lee Stream. From this point the road turns off on the •e.c to Waipori, but this section is rather badly cut up with the heavy loads which ire being sent ever it by the City Cororation towards the new dam. A better plan is to keep on the main roal till on the hill before reaching darks, where a district road branches off to the left. This leads down to Waipori township, end hence there is a good road to Lawrence. Che new road has the advantage of a Tirndcr mileage than the Milton-Lawrence route. It was suggested that the Motor 'issociation might place finger-posts at the junctions. The Children’s Exhibition, which has had such a successful run in the Brydone Hall throughout the past week, was brought to a close at 5 o’clock on Saturday afternoon. Interest in the display went on increasing to the end, and on Saturday it was visited by very large numbers, including many children from the country and the local orphanages. During the day refreshments were provided b- ladies of Kaikorai and Maori Hill and Anderson’s .Bay Churches. A desplay of first aid was given by the St. John Ambulance nursing section. The exhibition has been a remarkable success from every ooint of view, and has left visitors much Impressed with the nature and extent of the work for child welfare going on in the community, particularly in the sphere of religious education. At 5 o’clock it was closed with a brief service in which Mr J. Farquharson (president of the Otago Council of Sunday School Unions), Mr J. Reid, the Rev. W. Mawson, and the Rev. A. M. Finlayaon took part. The work of dismdnijing commenced immediately afterwards, and will be continued to-day.

The Manuka, which is due to-morrow at Wellington from Sydney, is bringing 29 bags of mail (including two bags from the East) and one parcel receptacle for Dunedin. The mail should come to hand on Wednesday night. Tho Arbitration Court has filed tho following awards in Dunedin Tho Oumuru, Hampden, and Wuitaki Grocers’ Societies; the Dunedin Theatrical and Show Employees ; the Otago Retail Chemists’ Societies; tho Dunedin Fire Brigades’ Employees: and the Dunedin Boxworkers. Agreements were arrived at on practically every point when these disputes wore referred to the Arbitration Court, with tho exception of the Theatrical and Shows Employees, where the employees contended for an award ot one year’s duration and tho employers held out for one of two years’ duration. Tho court has granted an award for two years. The steamer Kararaea ran into No. 6 wharf at Lyttelton on Saturday morning (reports a Press Association message), slightly damaging one of the end piles and ripping into the bolting. The liner was to be berthed at No. 7 wharf. She had entered the basin, and was to be turned preparatory to berthing when the “astern” signal was telephoned to tho engine room. Tho engines would not answer, and the vessel ran into the wharf. She was travelling forward at “dead slow” speed. She suffered no damage. Considerable dissatisfaction has been expressed at the omission of Dun eel ip from the itinerary of the British naval fleet on the occasion of its projected visit to the dominion. In view of this circumstance tho Mayor (Mr H. L. Tapley) cabled last week to Mr Massey, in London, pointing out the omission and asking his support in having Dunedin included in the visit. In rejdy, Mr Massey cabled back, stating that he "was conferring with the Admiralty, and that he would notify the result later. Mr Tapley also forwarded a similar request to the Governor-General asking his co-opcra-tion, and, in addition to this, has communicated with the Otago Harbour Board on the matter. The Harbour Board has advised that there will be no difficulty in the ships, which are of the “D” class, negotiating the Victoria channel, and that there will be ample berthing accommodation at the Dunedin wharves. H.M.S. Chatham experienced no difficulty in berthing here, and yet *her draught was 17it 6in, while that of the visiting vessels would be about 15ft 6in. Herbert Smith and Daniel Dunn, both aged 15 years, were admitted to tho Hospital on*Saturday, suffering from severe injuries to the eyes, caused through an explosion at the match factory at Caversham, where they were employed. Smith resides at 3 Rowlands avenue. South Dunedin, and Dunn at 320 King Edward street. "I backed Wynette and Easingwold, and they came first and second for the Cup. 'I hen Igo and fall out of the train. I suppose it’s all in the game.” This was the philosophical reflection of Stanley Coleman, secretary of the Institute of Advertising Men, as ho lay on the Malvern Station, Victoria, recently with a dislocated shoulder, and cuts on the hand and knee, wailing for a doctor to attend to him. He fell out of the open door of the train as it came into the station. An old injury to his leg, causing him to stumble, was responsible for the accident. Mr Coleman v. a# well known as an athlete in New Zealand. A disappointment is awaiting at least one passenger on the Rimutaka, which is due in Auckland from London to-day. Last July the Nelson City Council received a letter from their London agents, recommending a certain man for the position of gas engineer, which they believed the council was in need of. Tho council wrote buck stating that there was no intention of appointing such an official. Later another letter was received from the agents forwarding a photograph of tho man concerned and recommending him for the position. Tho council again replied that no appointment was vacant. In the meantime the council received a communication from the Immigration Department asking what arrangements were being made to meet the man, who is accompanied by his wife and family, and who had been nominated by the firm on behalf of tho council. At a meeting some days ago the town clerk said he hod informed the Immigration Department that tho council had no knowledge of the man. Ho had also W'rittqji a letter to him pointing out tho position. “Tho municipal authorities in England are seriously considering tho question of ‘scrapping’ the tramway system altogether and using motor omnibuses instead,” stated Mr F. W. Woodward, a Christchurch business man who lias just returned from a visit to England. Mr Woodward, who spent four months on a motoring tour ot England and Wales, said that with the enormous increase in the number of motor ears in use, the English public were becoming thoroughly convinced that the tramway systems would have to give way to the ’buses. The chief advantages of the ’buses were that there was less liability of accident with them and they did not hold up traffic in busy streets. They were easier to handle than the trams and could get through heavy traffic without causing any trouble. Another important consideration was that there were no rails required in the centre of the road, and the whole of the traffic was more flexible. In the centre of London it would be impossible to run trams without seriously disorganising other traffic and similar conditions were arising in other places. “From what 1 hoard while in England, I don’t think a mile of tramway rails is likely to be laid down in any part of the country,” said Mr Woodward. “Public opinion is entirely in favour of the ’buses in preference to the trams.” “Mai new dress has braown streps,” That is what Air J. W. Shaw, M.A. heard a young woman say tho other day, so he told his audience at. the “Value of Education” meeting in Auckland the other night (reports the Star). “Did you ever hear anything more vulgar and ignorant?” asked the speaker. There were some people in Now Zealand who considered themselves as bearing the cast of Vere do Verc when they spoke in this offensive mutilation of tho Oxford bleat. They thought themselves awfully smart, yet their mispronunciation of tho diphthongal sounds was much more offensive than the dropping ot the “h” by the Cockney. This vulgar affectation was driving some people to the opposite extreme, since they were afraid that by proper pronunciation they might be mistaken as belonging to the affected type. Unfortunately there were academies in New Zealand which existed for the sole purpose of teaching the young to speak in an affected manner. If the two faults mentioned could be eradicated New Zealanders as a class would speak tho purest English in the world, since we had no climatic disabilities conducive to a nasal accent or any other peculiarity. An innovation at the Auckland Railway Station, which will enable baggage to be handled in a much more efficient manner (says the New Zealand Herald) is an eleo-trically-drivcn platform truck. The truck has a carrying capacity of one ton. It is 9ft 7in long, and 3ft "4in wide. The driver’s seat is so arranged that it will rise and automatically apply the brakes, should tho driver get up or full off. A steering wheel, power control, and alarm hell are provided. The truck, which is of one liorso-power, is capable of running at about eight miles an hour. One great advantage is the ease with which it negotiates corners. Both sets of wheels are connected with the steering wheel, and the vehicle can turn in a radius of 7ft. Tho vehicle weighs 15cwt 801 b unloaded. The 21 two-volt batteries will drive it continuously for five bouts, so that it is expected it will have to be recharged every night. A dynamo for this purpose has been installed at the station. The recharging occupies about four hours, and, on completion, the power automatically cuts itself off. The audience at a lecture by Professor Easterfield in Nelson was greatly amused by his description of impressions some American scientific visitors had formed ot New Zealand. One had said he had been greatly struck with the honesty of New Zealand people. None of the party had lost anything during their stay and they were amazed to see the way people loft their coats outside the hotel dining rooms Another thing that had come forcibly under notice was that the New Zealand newspapers were intended to be read and not as a kind of puzzle with “continued on page so and so” as the usual order, as was the case in America. The third thing that impressed them was the enthusiasm hero for university education.

That the racecourse has its humorous side was evidenced recently at the totalisator at the Makaraka course (says the Gisborne Times). The law forbids the purchase of a ticket by any person under the ago of 21 years. A young woman, in fact almost a girl in appearance, asked for a ticket on a particular horse. Tho tolalisalor clerk, a young man, did not desire to see tho girl come within reach of tho law, so with blushing face he said, “Are you sure you are 21 years of age?” “No doubt of it,’’ said tho female speculator. “I'm over 21, and what’s more,” she added with pride, “I’m tho mother of four children.”

Strong exception to the number ot prosecutions levelled against motorists for allegedly exceeding the speed limit on the Ilutt road on race days was expressed by members at the annual meeting of tho Wellington Automobile Club last Wednesday night. Mr C. M. Banks, tho president, moved: “That the largo number of prosecutions after each race meeting (130 during tho previous week), and the many indignant protests received by the elub from members, indicate that speed limits of 12, 15, and 30 miles are unreasonably low, ana exceeded every day by all motorists. Tho club, therefore, considers that the limits should bo raised to allow of speeds which careful, and considerate motorists usually travel at.” Mr R. Leslie Jones protested at the methods which were adopted in “trapping” motorists. Why should tho special measures taken to catch motorists be resorted to on race days only and not on every day in the year? Mr A. N. Field thought it would be better if motorists who were believed to be exceeding the speed limit were stopped right away instead of being served with a piece of blue paper a fortnight later. That would give a man a chance to get some evidence. An amendment moved by Mr S. G. Nathan, that the matter be referred to the incoming committee, was adopted. Mr Nathan said there were various things to consider in connection with tho subject, and the club should not proceed too hastily. “I’m sure I don’t go at 20 miles an hour through Kalwarra,” remarked one member, “my car can’t go at that speed.”—(Laughter.) There was a “clean sheet” at the City Police Court on Saturday.

A public meeting of all interested in wireless broadcasting will be held to-morrow night to decide what steps shall be taken in view of the present crisis, which has caused one station to close down. The Mayor (Hr Tapley) will preside. Buy watches at Williamson’s. They sell the kind that never worry you, and are always guaranteed (next the Bristol). —Advt. A. E. J. Blakeley, dentist, Bank of Aus tralauia, corner of Bond and Rattray streets (next Telegraph Office). Telephone 1859. — Advt.

Diamond Engagement Rings.—Before purchasing compare our values; large selection, superior quality.—Peter Dick, direct importers jewellery, watches, etc., 490 Mora,"" place, Dunedin.—Advt.