HON. M'GOWAN GIVES EVIDENCE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LV, Issue 13994, 27 August 1909, Page 3

HON. M'GOWAN GIVES EVIDENCE.

AUCKLAND, August 27. At the Police Commission to-<lay, the Hon. M'Gowan, ex-Minister for .Justice, mi id he had no grounds of complaint in logard to Mr. Dinnio's administration. The only complaint lie had was a gen01 al desire ior more pay; also in regard to promotion. He had frequently been approached in regard to the promotion oi polite by members ot Parliament. II v man was not worthy of promotion i\o recommendation of any member of Pmlinnient would avail. He could suggest a remedy but would not like to apply it, viz., to take away the franchise from the. police. Air. I. I^p: I do not think- .you can apply that remedy in New Zealand. Mr. M'Gowan said he believed the Commissioner should have the power' Icr suspending a man. Ho would not say the Commissioner should have the power of dismissing a man. He .appointed police constables 011 the Commissioner's recommendation. Commissioned oificers were appointed by Cabinet on tho Ministers recommendation. SubInspector Wright was promoted from chief clerk to sub-inspector on Mr. Dinnio's recommendation. He could not remember the special circumstances. Only one application for leave for Mr. Dinnie's son came before him.. It was not an application for six months leave which would certainly have been refused. Mr. M'Gowan attributed the experienced in getting men to join tho police to the raising of wages outside by the . Arbitration Courts which he regarded in principle as being unsound. ____.