THE POLICE COMMISSION

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2550, 10 July 1909, Page 5

THE POLICE COMMISSION

CONSTABLE CONNEL’S STATEMENTS. RESENTED BY MEETING AT LYTTELTON. \ [Pirn T’u K.SB Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, July 9. A largely-attended meeting of tho waterside workers of Lyttelton, held this morning to hear an address by Mr. G. Laurenson, M.P., on the Government national annuity scheme, afterwards resolved itself into an indignation meeting to protest against the statements made by ex-Detective Connel in giving evidence before the Police Commission at Invercargill, reflecting upon the -working men of Lyttelton. There was a considerable amount ot discussion, several of the speakers expressing themselves in the strongest terms ef diapproval. ...On the morion of Mr. H. R. Vovce. seconded by Mr. J. He ms lev, the following resolution was carried unanimously—“ That this large and representative meeting of Lyttelton waterside workers desires to express its deep indignation at the unfounded and false statements regarding the honesty of the working men of Lyttelton, made by cx-Detective Connel, before tlm Police Commission at Invercargill; and also desires to convey to Mr. Laurenson iife sympathy with him in being the subject of a slanderous and spiteful <vi> taek: and, further, it requests the officers of the union to see that evidence is put before the Police Commission, when it sits in Christchurch, in refutation of the attack made upon the workers of this port.” A further resolution was carried instructing the executive of the union to take the necessary steps to enable witnesses toi apnear before the Police Commission in Christchurch ;and was also decided to communicate with Mr. H W. Bishop, the Commissioner, asking him to have ex-Deteetive Connel brought to Christchurch s« that he may be cross-examined on the evidence given by him at Invercargill. INVERCARGILL SITTINGS CONCLUDED. INVERCARGILL, July 9. The Police Commission has concluded its sittings here, and left for Dunedin this afternoon.