H.—l6b
1902. NEW ZEALAND.
CHARGES AGAINST NELSON POLICE OFFICERS: CORRESPONDENCE, ETC., IN CONNECTION WITH CHARGES AGAINST VARIOUS POLICE OFFICERS STATIONED AT NELSON; TOGETHER WITH RESULT OF INQUIRY HELD BY COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, AND DECISION OF CABINET THEREON.
Return to an Order (3) of the House of Representatives dated the 13th day of August, 1902.
Correspondence, etc. From Mr. Graham, M.H.E., to the Acting-Premier. (22nd April, 1902.) Apparent serious miscarriage of justice, result of private influence in connection with order for removal nearly all Nelson police. Fear matter will not end where it is. Public agitation already commenced. .Respectfully suggest you stay further action pending receipt my letter. From the Acting-Premier to Mr. Graham, M.H.E. (22nd April, 1902.) I have repeated your telegram to Minister of Justice, under whose administration the Police Department is, and on receipt of his reply I will wire you. From the Acting-Premier to Mr. Graham, M.H.E. (23rd April, 1902). Your communication re police in Nelson: I have received a reply from the Minister of Justice, who informs me that it would not do to allow any interference with the distribution of the men now. Owing to sides having been taken by the contending parties, and the police working in two different directions, the utility of the Force for the protection of the public and for the detection of crime was <n-eatly minimised, if not lost; and under the circumstances it was considered absolutely necessary that something should be done, and Cabinet adopted what they believed to be the best method of dealing with the matter. Capable men will be sent to replace the others. The Minister of Justice informs me —and in this I concur—that now that orders have been issued it would injure' the morale of the Force, and also have an injurious effect on the prestige of the police in Nelson, if any alterations were made. Ido not know what representations of private people you refer to, but can assure you that, personally, no communications of any kind from any one have reached me at any time in connection with the Police Force in Nelson. The official papers submitted to Cabinet some time ago contained the information upon which the decision was arrived at by Ministers after exhaustive consideration,
From Mr. Graham, M.H.E., to the Acting-Premier. (23rd April, 1902.) Be police: Eeceived your telegram with thanks, but deep regret. Do not understand reference, and have no knowledge of contending parties. The question is not one for contending parties, nor of sending capable men here, but bare justice to men who have proved themselves capable and respected and have almost eliminated crime and larrikinism in Nelson, who are now being dismissed and disrated for matters which departmental findings considered sufficiently punished by cautions for indiscretion, and in one case a fine of half a crown. I know of no private communication having been made to you personally, but am glad of your assurance to that effect. Public deeply agitated. I pray Government to grant public inquiry, and feel assured my knowledge your sense of right will cause this justice to be done.
I—H. 16b.