SPECIAL CONSTABLES.

Waikato Times, Volume 111, Issue 18630, 7 May 1932, Page 5

SPECIAL CONSTABLES.

QUESTIONS IN THE HOUSE

METHODS OF SELECTION AND PAY “PURELY VOLUNTARY BASIS.” (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Saturday. Mr A. S. Richards (Labour — Roskill), asked the Minister of Justice to give the House some information about special police, including their rates of pay and the methods of selection being employed. He said he had heard of the case of a man in Auckland who had participated in looting and who had subsequently been enrolled as a special. The Minister of Employment, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates: Give the name of the man and 'he will be dealt with at once if he is guilty.

Mr Richards again asked his question about the pay of special constables and Mr Coates replied, “They are not getting any pay.” Mr F. Jones (Labour Dunedin) : Are they not getting any allowances? Mr Coates: No, it is purely a voluntary organisation on the part of citizens themselves.

Mr (Jones: Is It not costing the Government anything? Mr Coates: It may -cost tha Government a cup of tea or so. By way, of interjection, the Minister ’of Defence and Justice, thie Hon. J. G. -Cobbe, said It was quite Incorrect to say that special constables were being paid. As far as he knew, and it was a matter for his department, not eme penny piece had been given excepting for teas. As to Ithe question of .specials unde? twenty-one years of 'age toeing enrolled, -the Minister said he had heard of -only one case .and toe had given strict instructions that no enlistments of men undor that age were to bo made.

Bad Feeling Alleged.

Mr Richards asked whether there was any truth in the suggestion of bad feeling between the regular police and specials. ■Mr Cobbe: I have not heard -of It.

Mr Richards said ha had heard that there was bitter hostility in Auckland on account of Irresponsible youths who had been enrolled.

Mr W. Nash (Labour —Ilutt), asked whether the Minister was sure no allowances had been paid to special police. Mr Cobbe: I am not aware of a penny piece having been paid. A certain sum will be allowed for out of pocket -expenses. In Auckland nothing was paid. For Christchurch I have authorised half a ton of coal and some firewood for use where the men are in camp.

OfTors to Farmers’ Sons Alleged. Mr Nash said toe had received definite advice from the North Auckland district and later from the South Island district that the police department was offering farmers’ sons 6s a day and their keep if they were recruits and called upon to serv'e as special constables. Mr Coates: You are on the wrong track.

Mr Nash asked the Minister of Justice to inform the House of the extent of the negotiations with the Commissioner of Police in connection with the pay of constables, and what final arrangements had been made. The Minister explained that the department had a waiting list of applicants for the police force, at present the figure being about 200. A short time ago 70 new constables had been taken on. These had been distributed as follows: Auckland, 40; Wellington, 12; Christchurch, 12; Dunedin, 12. They had not been enrolled as members of the permanent force, hut were In service for six months. Referring to the pay of the regular police the Minister said It would be seen from estimates of the past that there was always an Item to cover extra pay for additional duties and special services performed. There was a larger amount this year because the Government considered there would be a good deal more work to handle.