FURTHER POLICE REQUIRED

Otago Witness, Issue 3961, 11 February 1930, Page 24

FURTHER POLICE REQUIRED

CHALLENGE TO THE GOVERNMENT WELLINGTON, 4. The Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward) announced to-day that in view of the necessity of bringing the present situation in Samoa to a satisfactory termination as speedily as possible the Government has decided to take steps to prepare a sufficient force of military police for despatch to the territory should the circumstnaces require it, and in particular if it becomes necessary to relieve HALS. Dunedin. It will be some weeks before the police will be ready to leave New Zealand, and it is hoped that the events which will transpire during that period may render it unnecessary for the force to be despatched. The Government in Samoa is challenged by the Mau, and as a result of the Mau's organised activities warrants for arrests on criminal charges have not been executed. The authority of the Administration must be asserted, and law and order in the territory must be maintained. This cannot be brought about until there is a complete cessation of the Mau movement. and there is now no alternative but to secure that objective. It would be well for those who are in sympathy with the Mau to recongnise this, and if they are genuinely anxious for the restoration of harmony’ in the territory they can best contribute to that end by counselling the abandonment of the Mau, when the way’ will be open for a discussion and the redress of any grievances that may be found to exist.

The Minister of Defence (Mr J. G. Cobbe) is leaving for the territory next week. RECRUITS WANTED. WELLINGTON, February 5. Applications are being invited by the Superintendent of Police (Mr W. B. MTlvenoy) for recuits for the Samoan military police, in accordance with the decision of Cabinet yesterday to prepare a further force for despatch to the mandated territory. Recruits are required to be between 22 and 32 years of age, and will have to undergo medical examination. Engagement will be for 12 months if the services of the men are required. Applications will be received by the superintendent until February 12. Preference is expressed for single men.

250 MEN WANTED. WELLINGTON, February 8. In reply to a question, the Acting Prime Minister (Mr G. W. Forbes) stated that the maximum number of men it was proposed to send into camp for the purpose of the military police force being prepared in case it is necessary to augment the police already on service in Western Samoa is 250. No appointment had yet been made of an officer in charge of the force. It is understood that the Government's decision as to the necessity for sending reinforcements of police largely depends on the forthcoming visit to Samoa of the Defence Minister (Mr Cobbe), and that it may be deferred until his arrival there. APPLICATIONS FOR POLICE DUTY. CHRISTCHURCH, February 6. About 40 young men applied for duty as Samoan military police to-day. In response to an advertisement in this morning’s newspapers, 30 lined up at the office of the superintendent of police this morning, and another 10 or so made application in the early afternoon. “ Some of the applicants are of a very good type,” stated Major R. A. Rowe, of the Southern Command headquarters, this morning. “ About 25 per cent, of the applicants have been out of work lately. Their average age is about 23, and their ages range from 22 to 24. None of them has been enrolled before as Samoan police.

THE RESPONSE IN WELLINGTON. WELLINGTON, February 6. The call for volunteers for the special military police force for Samoa brought a prompt response in Wellington to-day. “We can fill any demand the Defence Department is likely to make, and the response is eager and adequate,’’ said the commissioner of police (Mr W B MTlveney) to-night. “We have arranged a quota for the four cities, and I have been deluged with telegrams from all over the country. We are only the recruiting agents for the Defence Department, but there is no limit to the force we can furnish if necessary. Some of the applicants write in enthusiastic terms and indicate their keenness to face ‘the hail of bullets,’ as they put it.” February 7.

Volunteers for service in Samoa are enrolling promptly and in large numbers in the different centres of the Dominion in response to the call of the Defence Department for men for the special military police force for New Zealand's mandated territory. A considerable number of volunteers has already come forward in Wellington. AUCKLAND VOLUNTEERS. AUCKLAND, February 7. At noon to-day 100 men had volunteered for the Samoan military police. DUNEDIN APPLICANTS. About 20 applicants for positions as Samoan military police called at the

Central Station on Thursday, most of them being men of good type. Men between the ages of 22 and 32 years are required. Several of the applicants proved to be either over or under the age limit. About 30 more applicants for positions on the Samoan police force visited the Central Station on Friday.