THE POLICE RESERVE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 207, 1 September 1934, Page 10

THE POLICE RESERVE

ITS FORMATION CONFIRMED STATEMENT BY MINISTER LONDON SYSTEM BEING TRIED [Per Press Association ] WELLINGTON, Aug. 31. The report tram Auckland of the formation of a Reserve Police Force in New Zealand was confirmed by lhe Hon. J. G. Cobb-e to-day. He said it had been resolved to try out a system on lines which had prove! satisfactory in London, He mentioned that the Royal visit in a few months’ time would probably render it necessary to augment tire regular force, particularly in the principal cities, to deal with crowds. Ln the principal cities the number of constables available had always been inadequate, and the country had practically to be denuded of police to supplement the cities in an emergency or on special occasions. The reserve force, Air. Cobbe said, would be a part-time force, but when on duty would receive the same pay as regular constables. The Move Denounced In the House of Representatives this afternoon Air. W. E» Parry (Labour, Auckland Central), referring to the establishment of an auxiliary police force, said the Commissioner of Police had been actuated by a fear in persuading the Alinister of Justice to establish that force. Air. Parry said it had been represented to him that the recent theft of a machine-gun had been committed for the purpose of justifying the Government’s action. The best thing that could happen would be to retire the Commissioner of Police and send him away to a little island with a revolver in one hand and a club in the other and let him make imitations of men in mud. There was no need to recruit a police force. Labour was opposed to it and would fight to the bitter end the turning of the Dominion into a military camp to have working people marched to work with bayonets and rifles. He protested strongly against the establishment of such a body.