POLICE N.C.O.’S WANT NEW ASSOCIATION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17890, 5 July 1926, Page 2

POLICE N.C.O.’S WANT NEW ASSOCIATION.

STRONG OPPOSITION EXPRESSED IN SYDNEY. SYDNEY, June 17. During the past few days a section of the non-commissioned officers of the police force, who are members of the Police Association, has been taking a secret ballot among the non-commis-sioned men with a view to forming a new association composed solely of noncommissioned officers. The Chief Secretary (Mr Lazzarini), who has been away for a few days, returned to town on Tuesday, and yesterday he referred to the contemplated action. He soundly condemned the move, and said definitely that he, as Minister controlling the police force, would not recognise the new association if it was formed. “I w’as surprised to hear that there was any division existing in the police Association betw’een the non-commis-sioned officers and the men of the ordinary rank,” said the Chief Secretary. “I was under the impression that harmany existed between all sections of the association. I do not consider that there is any justification for the formation of a new association, composed of non-commissioned officers, and I would not be prepared to recognise officially any such body. The Police Association exists for the purpose of protecting the interests of the members of the force, and making any bona fide representations as regards their conditions from time to time, but it had no right to interfere with the administration of police matters. Therefore no breach of discipline exists by non-commission-ed officers and constables belonging to some association. It would be as logical to assert that first-class sergeants should refuse to associate with second and third-class sergeants, and that the)' should have a separate association of their own. I hope that the good sense of the non-commissioned officers will prevail and that no attempt will be made to cause a breakaway of this sort within the association. If such an attempt, is made it can only lead to bad feeling throughout the service.”