THE POLICE COMMISSION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 173, 14 August 1909, Page 2

THE POLICE COMMISSION.

SITTING AT WAMiAXUI. Xiy Teicgraph.—Press Association, Wauganui, August ii!. Tln> l'olici' Commission sat here mis morning. Sergeant Burke, wlio had been in the lone since 1877, liad no complaint tu make, lint understood there was a fair amount of dissatisfaction in this force regarding promotions, it being alleg.'d that junior and inferior men were promoted over the heads of seniors who had better qualifications for promotion. Witness was 40 when promoted. He considered 50 years of age to be the proper maximum for men to be promoted to be sergeants in a city. He did not consider a term of probation hi tin streets a necessity before appointing a man in charge of a country town. Hi knew Constable Leahy, Canterbury, a r n considered him capable of taking an} position in the force. He did not thin! it man should have a right to refuse promotion or transfer. No man befon Mr. Dinnic's time was offered promotion, he was simply told wiiere he was to go. He believed ill six months' probation for all recruits. Witness knew of at least one " waster" in tlic force who should never have been taken on. The fifth standard test was too high, as it excluded a great many good men. He considered the pay on joining was the cause of the lack of recruits, and thought all i men should be eligible for promotion to the highest branches. He did not favor detectives being placed in special grades. [ In answer to Mr. Dinuie, witness said he knew eases where political influence ; had been brought to bear, and gave the ■ name of a man who invoked the aid of ; members of Parliament. There gummi be a board to consider all promotions. He believed seniority and merit should be considered together, not seniority alone.

Constable Bree, speaking for local constables, thought the men should receive a' minimum of 8s and 11 maximum of H)s 11 day with house allowance. Married men should receive 7s (id to 10s a week, free boots and uniforms, and an annual leave of 21 days. He considered he had a claim for promotion, having joined the force in 1880.

Detective Siddell said that -many men hail been passed over and less worthy men promoted. There was no means ot getting rid of useless men. So long as they behaved thcnioselvcs they were kept on in the force. A probation term would remedy that. He considered he took a downward step when he became a detective. He did so, as he saw no chance of promotion in the police. The inspectors' recommendations for promotion were often not acted upon. He believed inspectors became unconsciously biassed, liven with an appeal hoard dissatisfaction would exist.

Sergeant Iladdrell, in charge of New Plymouth, spoke of the discontent over promotions and pay being 'too low to attract recruits. A sixth standard test was not too high. The force was as efficient as it had ever been.

Inspector Wilson said constables' pay was too low, so was their house allowance. Discipline was not so good now as it was ten years ago. The conditions of colonial life were not conducive to strict discipline. Detectives should stand on the same ground as sergeants. The question of promotion and transfer of Detective Oniric from Palmerstoi to Wellington was ordered, hut 'on a petition being received from a member of the district and some leading residents it was held over and the detective was still at "Palmcrston. Men should be promoted without being first asked. The Commission, in witness's opinion, did not have a free hand, and should be responsible only to Parliament