FURTHER INCREASE IN PAY FOR POLICE.

Colonist, Volume LXI, Issue 15039, 5 April 1919, Page 2

FURTHER INCREASE IN PAY FOR POLICE.

ITJniteb -P&ess Association.] * : • ; :W(Bllihgtbn, April 4. The Hon. T. M, Wilford. announces that a-further, increase has been apr proved *by Cabinet "in the ;pay of ser-^ geants and' constables -in the Police Force, and a scale,-for permanent in-/ creases for all. other officers is'now being prepared. It' is considered that the recent increase of Is *6d per day was insufficient, suitable men not being attracted', to the force, and since the armistice there have been numbers of resignations. The force numbered about 1000 before the war, and is now reduced to 800. ' - ■ - . A committee consisting of the Attor-,ney-General, the Acting-Minister' of i Finance, and the Minister of Justice re,Dorted to Cabinet that they were impressed wjth the gravity of the position disclosed, and, in view of the special 1 qualifications demanded in recruits, the committee was of opinion that granting an increase in pay would not provide an argument for a corresponding increase in pay in other branches otHhe Government service. Public order could not be preserved unless a sufficient number of men, qualified and trained, were maintained in the Dominion in a state of contentment and complete discipline. The committee, therefore advised that the rate of pay be increased by a further Is 6d a day to all cod stables and sergeants. Tne cost of these increases is estimated ai about £22,J00 annually. The committee also recommend that the house allowance for married men be in* creased from £27 7s €d per annum to £39. Mr Wilford stated tiiat ull the recommendations of the committee had been adopted by Cabinet. The increases to other officers in the force will be announced, as soon as they have been considered by Cabinet. All the increases take effect as from April Ist.