THE POLICE COMMISSION

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2556, 17 July 1909, Page 5

THE POLICE COMMISSION

SITTINGS IN DUNEDIN.

[Per Press Association.] DUNEDIN, July 16. The Police Commission continued its sittings to-day. Detective' Ward said detectives wore much disturbed at the announcement of the late Minister of Justice that the avenues of higher offices were closed. The detective, force was well aware that Dr. Findlay had reversed his predecessor’s action, but the political world might be turned upside down to-mor-row, and they might get another McGowan in office, , and the men wanted Mr. Bishop, if satisfied by the evidence, to submit to the Government a recommendation that would make . things permanent. ,He complained that a steerage boat fare was only allowed when travelling, and he had paid the difference out of his oivh pocket. Station-Sergeant King said ho was laboring under a sense of injustice. Ho complained that when appointed sta-tion-sergeant. he had to leave a good station and lose 3s 6d per week. He also complained that a'man junior to him had been appointed a sub-inspec-tor. Witness went on to say that false reports had been circulated in connection with the Papakaio murder case, these being indirectly attributed to him. The work of a station-sergeant was the most irritating and unpleasant in the service, would like to know why he had "been passed over when promotidns had been made. Ho had complained to the Minister for Justice, and the Commissioner had said the two men recommenced for promotion were considered superior in qualifications to witness. He thought constables were underpaid. In reply to questions, Inspector O’Brien said he had recommended King for a Bub-inspectorship. Constable Dark, South Dunedin, quoted instances of the promotion of men over seniors to one-man stations. Thero was a widespread feeling that promotion could not bo got in the Dunedin district, and that the sooner a policeman got out of the district the better. Ho also advocated increases in pay and house allowance. ( Mr, J. F. Arnold, M.P., then came forward for cro-examination by Commissioner Dinnie. Commissioner Dinnfe said it had surprised him that Mr. Arnold had made his allegations without ascertaining whether thero was any foundation for them. It was practically a stab in the back both as regards himself and the Department. Mr. Arnold dared not make those statements outside, otherwise he might have had to appear before another Court. Mr. Arnold replied that be bad made them since Commissioner Dinnie had said he was aTrafd there was an ulterior object. In the course of his evidence Mr. Arnold 6aid that during Commissioner Tunbridge’s time of office 65 men were dismissed from the force and 9 resigned. During Commissioner Dinnie’s term 140 men had been dismissed and 22 resigned. The force had been going from bad to worse, and discontent had become more intense. Tbe question of tbe finger-print expert getting six months’ leave on full pay to go Home was raised, and Mr. Arnold said that in spite of what the file may say ho would ask Commissioner Diunie, when tho latter was giving evidence. if lie woulu say on oath that originally six months’ leave on full pay was not granted. Commissioner Dinnie,. offered to produce the filo to show that he recommended one month’s leave on full pay, and the rest without pay. Mr. Arnold suggested that the filo had been altered. Commissioner Dinnie swore on oath that the file was tho original. Mr. Bishop said he would not then decided whose word he would accept, Mr. iDinnie’s or that of other people whom he need not at present name. He would take the Hon. Mr McGowan’s word on oath. He thought it necessary for Mr. McGowan to come forward. Either Mr McGowan or Commissioner Dinnie would have to defend himself very seriously. He did not accept the file as the original file after Commissioner Dinnie’s statement that files might be faked. In the course of further examination Mr. Arnold said that he complained about the discrimination Jbetween Commissioner Dinnie’s iTTeTfds and others in the force. Commissioner Dinnie said his son was entitled to 36 days, and got a month, while another constable got full leave. Mr. Arnold said in that case Commissioner Dinnie was discriminating against his friends. , ■ Commissioner Dinnie: I might have bad an object. Mr. Arnold: I presume you had an object. Commissioner Dinnie: It was for such as yourself for a little bit of bait to pull. • Mr. Arnold: That was nonsense. Commissioner Dinnie: I knew what I was doing, and I knew it would be made public. Mr. Arnold You laid a trap for public men to fall into ? That is what it moans.

Commissioner Dinnie: Yes ; for men who are seeking information of this kind, for men who are interfering with the Department. Commissioner Dinnie was then sworn and gave evidence relating to the question of the inquiry into constables’ characters before joining the. force. The Commission then adjourned till to-morrow.