THE POLICE COMMISSION.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LV, Issue 14010, 15 September 1909, Page 1

THE POLICE COMMISSION.

ALLEGED DISCOURTESY. THE RIGHTS OF A MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Sept. 11. At the Police Commission Ed nurd Watson, who had complained that Inspector Ellison had treated him discourteously, was cross-examined by the inspector. Witness denied having yono io inspector KHivm's office last Saturday night and endeavoured to irritate Inspector Ellison so that he might commit a breach of the peace. Michael Gieen. who had said the constables consulted the chief clerk in- 1 stead of Commissioner Dinnie about promotion, admitted, in reply to questions by Commissioner Dinnie, that these . constables had not been promoted. Prior to the Police Commission adjourning to-day there were prospects of a "breeze," but the initial K«st was the worst and the gutlieritip; storu passed away as Lpcedilv as it had appeared. Mr. R. A. Wright. -M. P.. wns in attendance, and hsvl been e\:uniniii'_r witnesses. When he was dealing with the last one on matters relating in tlxcommissioner, Mr. Dinnie questioned his right to take part in tilt 1 proceedings as he was doing. Mr. Bishop *said he had ruled here as elsewhere that members of Parliament were permitted by virtue of their office to take part in the proceedings if they bo desired. Mr. Dinnie: It appears to me that he (Mr. Wright) has come to persecute me. Mr. Bishop: I would not allow anything of that sort. Mr. Dinnie: Well, that is what he is doing. Mr. Bishop 6aid Mr. Wright had been asking questions relating to licensed houses. Mr. Dinnie: Now he is going into details that concern me. Mr. Bishop : Surely you will give me the opportunity of satisfying niyself that his questions are proper ones. Mr. Wright: I understand I must not ask a question that affects the Commissioner of Police personally. Mr. Bishop: If you have any information in your possession which is a reflection «n Mr. Dinnie. and will furnish me with it, I will see he gets notice as required under the order of reference. He is entitled to twentvfour hours' notice on matters which in any way reflect on him as on any other member of the force. Mr. Wright: I only want to ask the constable a question which I think Mr. Bishop: Immediately you do that the commissioner can say that this is • matter reflecting on him, and , that he has a right to nave notice of i it. He must have notice of Anything ' reflecting on him personally. I Mr. Wright: Will Ibe allowed to ask questions when Mr. Dinnie and Subinspector Wright are giving evidence? Mr. Bishop: Yes; that's a different thins from asking questions of a constable about his superior officers, as they have pointed out that all members of the force were in the same position with regard to. notice being required. Mr. Wright deferred any further examination of the witness.