THE POLICE FORCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3100, 13 August 1913, Page 13

THE POLICE FORCE.

COMMISSIONER'S REPORT.

MORE MEN WANTED) (From Our Owx Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, August 5.

In the report of the police torce, presented to Parliament to-tiay, Commissioner Cullen states that the police force must be strengthened, and asks that at least 30 more men should be enrolled in the coming year. The Commissioner says the steady increase in population throughout the dominion, and the consequent increase in police work, is causing a constant demand from the public and from the police officers in charge of districts for more police in the city and suburban areas, as well as in the country towns and more remote country districts. These demands cannot, however, be granted till such time as’ a substantial numerical increase to the present strength of the force has been authorised. The taking over of the street traffic in certain localities also calls for an increase in the number of police in those places. The Auckland Exhibition, which will open in December next, will also cans© a demand for extra, police m Auckland City and at the exhibition itself, which must bo complied with. “It is to bo hoped that when the numerical strength of the force is increased it will be found possible, without lessening the police protection of the streets, to deal liberally with the requests of the police constables for more regular Sunday leave and for time off in lieu of time spent by them in attending court when off duty than they at present receive. Delinhe instructions have already been issued that these concessions must be given whenever possible. “ To meet' all those demands for extra police would entail an increase of fully 100 men to the present authorised strength, but as this would involve an additional sum of £17,000 to the cost of the department, I cannot ask that such a large increase bo made in any one year. 1 am, however, reluctantly compelled to ask for an increase ties year of 50 constables to the present authorised strength of the force.” An interesting table (subjoined) gives a comparative statement of (he proportion of police to the population throughout Australasia and the cost of the service per inhabitant

Number Proportion to popuC'ostJ of lation. per inpolice. One in habitant. New Zealand 746 1303 3/8 Victoria 1736 795 4/10| ■N.S. Wales ... 2420 713 5/10 Queensland 1053 604 8/8i South Australia 512 840 5/5} Western Australia 490 624 8/4} Tasman Ri 231 853 4/4}