THE POLICE ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3099, 6 August 1913, Page 6

THE POLICE ASSOCIATION.

MR ROSSER’S APPOINTMENT. (Froxi Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, July 29. The discussion m committee on the Police Force Bill afforded another opportunity for a ventilation of diverse views regarding the much-discussed Police Association. The Minister of Justice (the Hon. A. L. Herdman) repeated Jus previous arguments against permitting the members of ttie torco to have an association with an outside secretary. Mr Herdman’s view was strongly combated by Mr Veitcti, who uigcci that no more harm could result from a Police Association than from the Railway Servants’ Association. Ho agreed that the poiice should be debarred from federating with any other labour organisation, and he suggested that, subject to this limitation, the Minister should give his approval to the associat.on. The appointment of Mr Arthur Rosser as organiser of the association was referred to by several members. Mr Veitch said that the reason why Mr Rosser had been appointed organiser was that the Minister had practically made it impossible for any member of the force to take .the position. The Minister said that every member of the force had the right to represent any grievances to him through the commissioner, lie had made this clear when he met the membei-s of the force in Auckland. Mr Bradney 'said that us soon as the association was formed it was in the hands of Mr Rosser. His firm opinion was thuk the trouble arose not from grievances within but from grievances without. The whole thing was done by a certain section to embarrass the Government. He assured the Minister that in the firm stand be was taking up be had the support of the bulk of the people. In his (Mr Bradney’s) district they heard a good deal about grievances, but why should there be grievances? Mr Payne; Because you are in power. Mr Bradney said there were no real grievances. .So long as they paid men well they could be independent of them, because if they were not satisfied they cou'd got other men to take their places. Mr Nosworthy made a spirited speech in defence of the Minister’s attitude, in which he referred to Mr Rosser as a Labour agitator.Mr Payne: He is not half as bad as Jones down in the Grov electorate. Mr Isitt agreed that it was unfortunate that Mr Rosser as an outsider should have been associated with the association, but -it had been stated that he was merely acting as an intermediary for receiving cornmunicaTons and passing them on to the real secretary. Was that a fact, or was Mr Rosser an official of the association? Mr Nosworthy : Of course be is. Mr Isitt: You know no more about it t ban I do. An effective personal note was struck by the Prime Minister in connection with the Police Bill. In one sense, he said, he was “ well known to the police.”—(Laughter.) There were many officers whom ho had known since his childhood, ami who wore personal friends. If there was any real trouble or discontent those men would certainly have unhesitatingly come to him. They had not clone so, and lie was satisfied there was no real unrest. The great majority were satisfied, but there would always be a certain number looking for trouble and for grievances. In connection with the trouble that had arisen ho attributed a great deal of it to the newspapers. He referred particularly Opposition journals of V ellington and Christchurch. “ I want to say this for the police,” said Mr Massev when referring to the Waihi trouble. I have the most intense admiration for the courage, tact, and discretion of the men who wore employed with the trouble that took place in that mining township. I believe that if the game trouble arose to-day we could rely upon their loyalty absolutely and rely upon them to do that which is right.” MR ROSSER INTERVIEWED. (From Our Own Correspondent.) AUCKLAND. July 30. Mr Arthur Rosser, when interviewed today concerning the discussion in the House yesterday as to his connection with the Now Zealand Police Association, made a straight-forward statement upon the matter. “ If there be any credit for the formation of tlie Police Association,” he said, “ I cannot claim it, because I did not organise the association. The men, smarting under many grievances, in-

dividually email in themselves, yet when added to a email pay caused them to take measures to form an association, decided upon a course- of action and arranged a time of meeting. I was aeked by another outside party on behalf of the police to take the matter in hand, as the men in the force feared victimisation. In the first place I was mentioned as secretary, but it was pointed out that as secretary I woulct bo in danger of infringing one of the police regulations, so they appointed a secretary from among their own number (Constable Smyth), and I was appointed president and organiser. “Mr Yeitch is quite right,” Mr Rosser continued. “ when ho says that I was appointed because the Minister made it impossible for any member of the force to take the position. The Hon. Mr Herdman says ho made it clear when he met the members of the force in Auckland that every one had a right to represent any grievance to him through the commissioner. The men took that assurance in good faith, and the public has seen the result. The first secretary was exiled to Greyrnouth and then dismissed. The second has also been transferred to an unimportant station against his own desire. A third secretary has been appointed, and so far he remains in Auckland, but three other emergencies are ready to step into the vacant position if ho fo’lows the first two. The precaution by the men in asking me to act for them has been amply justified by the results. “So far as Mr Bradney’s opinions are concerned,” said Mr' Rosser, “he is so obviously ignorant of the position that it ;s not worth while referring to them. I can, however, reassure Mr leitt that my services to the association are purely voluntary and honorary, and they will cease as ■ soon as the the association is recognised by the department.”