AN INJUSTICE.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume IV, Issue 196, 5 January 1877, Page 13

AN INJUSTICE.

To the Editor of the New Zealand Tablet. Si r — I keg you will be good enough to allow me a small space in your valuable journal to make a few remarks on the past management, I should say mismanagement, of your Police Force under present administration. And now that a new Commissioner is appointed to the command of the whole of our Police Force in New Zealand, it may not be out of place to point out to him and the general public of New Zealand the gross injustice, nay the grievous injustice, and painful insult, that has been offered to, and inflicted upon the Roman Catholic members of the Otago Police Force. First I would point out that since the Police Force of Otago was organised by the late Mr. St. John Branigan in 1862, up to the present, there have been no less than thirteen sergeants promoted to the rank of Sub-Inspectors and Inspectors. In Mr. Branigan' s time six were advanced to the higher grades, viz., one to be Commissioner of Police in Southland; one Inspector, and five SubInspect >rs in Otago, also one chief clerk to be R. M. on the goldfields, and four clerks were also appointed by him to his office, and one Sergeant was appointed as Master of the Industrial School at Lookout Point ; and under the present administration five Inspectors and one Sub-Inspector have been appointed, also one Sergeant has been appointed as Master of the Industrial School, and one as Master of the Benevolent Institution, Caversham. Now the painful part of the cass comes to be stated, viz., that although the Police Force of Otago were, and I think still, are composed of more than one half Catholics, yet not a single Roman Catholic member has been advanced to any higher grade than that of first-class sergeant during the last fifteen years. Is this dealing out justice and fair play, or is it not a gross injustice as well as a deep insult to the feelings of the Roman Catholic section of the service ? Nay is it not an insult offered to the Catholic community at large ? Now, Sir, I would respectfully point out to the public what the Police Regulations, pages 11 and 12, say on promotion — " All vacancies in the ranks above that of constable and up to, and including that of Inspector, are filled up by promotion from the next inferior in rank, every inducement is held out for men of good class to enter the Force, and to exerb themselves while in it. For by zealously and efficiently performing their duties to the public they are consulting their own interests." Then it goes on to say that those desirous of promotion must endeavor to merit it by zealous attention to duty. Page 12, where it speaks of rewards, &c, it goes on to say, " While to the Constable who is not only well conducted, but also thoroughly efficient, an additional reward is offered in the chance of promotion to the higher ranks, which, as before stated, are open to every member of the Force." Such are the promises held out to each man. But I would ask are those promises fulfilled fairly and impartially. I should respectfully submit they are not when it is considered that the Otago Police, as before stated, are composed of more than one-half Roman Catholics, yet that they have been studiously and carefully excluded from promotion to the higher ranks, and from all places of emolument during the last fifteen years. I should ask if they have not a just cause to complain, and to wish for a change in the administration of the Police Department, when it is taken into consideration that Otago is the only Province in New Zealand where such a state of things exists. I may add that such a state of things does not exist in any of the Australian Colonies. I would respectfully submit that such a thing is a shame and a reproach to the management of the Otago Police Force, and the sooner we have a change in the administration of our Police the better. — I am, &c, Wellington, Jan. 3, 1877. A Subscriber.