THE FIRE BUG.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20828, 21 September 1929, Page 14

THE FIRE BUG.

“INVENTED BY NEWSPAPER PRESS.” f ' * A MINISTERIAL STATEMENT.

(From Ocr Paeliamentabi Reporter.) WELLINGTON, September 20. ' “I do not believe.there is a fire bug in Christchurch and neither do the police. They believe it has been invented by the newspaper press,” declared the Minister in charge of the Police Department. (Mr T. M. Wilford) in the House of Representatives to-day when expressing the view that most of the recent fires in Christchurch were ordinary outbreaks. Mr D. G. Sullivan (Labour, member for Avon) inquired just what the Minister meant by his statement. Tlfe Minister: I just mean what I say.- -

Mr Sullivan: That is a very serious statement. to make. .

The Minister repeated that the opinion was held that. most of the fires were accidental.

•Mr Sullivan: Do you suggest that Christchurch is burning itself down! The Minister: No.

Mr. H. S. S. Kyle (Reform member for Riccarton) said he was afraid the Minister, had not been discreet and tjiat the newspapers would tell him so too. . ■ ■ „

, The Minister: I don’t expect them to be complimentary.

•Mr-Kyle said' lie hoped- that when the Minister was making any altera- ’ tions in the police force system he would appoint women police. Mr H. G. Dickie (Reform member for Patea): Would that stop the'fire •bug?—(Laughter.) •

Mr Kyle: Yes, they might be able to do something. ■ They certainly know more about homes than 1 men. Many women are quite capable of acting as police officers and they should ’be given a chance, • The women would take number ■ twos while the men £ook number nines. It would he worth, while from an economical point of view alone. — (Laughter.) Mr Wilford said the Commissioner of Police had tpld him that the newspapers in Christchurch had hindered rather than • helped-.the .police. “I am not going to take , back what I said,” declared the Minister.

Mr E, J. Howard (Labour member tor Christchurch South):-'Did the Commissioner consult the newspapers? ■ The Minister pointed out that there was no power under the present Act to appoint . women) police. , Mr Sullivan: Will you. introduce the necessary legislation ? .- ;“I will not,” was the emphatic reply of. the Minister. _ Air Howard- said that, surely the Minister did not suggest that, the Mayor of Christchurch dashed away from a social evening, stacked his-furniture up, set fire to it and then stole, his. own money.—-(Laughter.) There was no doubt that an incendiarist was at work-

Air Wilford said hotb .the Superintendent of Police and the inspector in Christchurch had reported to the Commissioner that the. newspapers had hindered the.police in their operations. Air Howard; In what way ? The Minister; The . newspapers are not helping the police in their detection of crime. ..

Air- J.- A. Nash .(Reform member for Palmerston): That is quite right. Air Howard:-! don’t believe it.