THE POLICE COMMISSION

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2607, 15 September 1909, Page 3

THE POLICE COMMISSION

THE WELLINGTON SITTINGS

fJ’jiii Piit\ss Association.l WELLINGTON, Sept. K. The Police Coinmkion resumed thin morning. Constable Simpson /controverted the statements of. Mr. Arnold, M.P., Regarding the conduct of members of the force in Wellington. Edwin Arnold, visiting Justice to gaol, said, speaking with years of experience, be did not know of a single ' policeman who had ever harassed an ex-inmate of the gaol. Replying to a. question, he admitted lie had known of ex-prisoners being dismissed from employment without being able to ascertain the reason. As far as he knew, the police of Wellington were a very fine, honorable body of men. Conflicting evidence was given by two or three witnesses concerning the quality of the physique of present applicants compared with that of their predecessors years ago. " ' ~ Sergeant Miller (Masterton) said he . , had received assistance from Inspector Ellison in enforcing the licensing laws. Sectarian questions w’ere raised by Constable Simpson. He explained that he had asked, for returns showing the number of Catholics and Protestants in various grades of the force, and information about changes by members from one feligion to another, blit the details had not been given to him, on the ground that he was a constable. He suggested that Protestants had not been treated as well as Catholics, Commissioner Bishop said i e deprecated in the strongest uosstble “way going into this sectarian business Witness replied: “I say that weProtestants have been passed oca.” Mr Bishop : “Because of your religion ?” Witness: “I don’t say that.” Mr. Bishop: “There you are. You must know if it is a question o+ religion and not of the merits of the men.” Edward Watson, who had complained that Inspector Ellison had. treated him discourteously, was cross-examined by the Inspector. Witness denied liaving gone to Inspector Ellison’s office last Saturday night and endeavored to irritate Inspector Ellison, so that he might commit a breach of the peace. Michael Green, who had said that constables had consulted the chief clerk instead of Commissioner Dinnie about promotion, admitted, in reply to questions by Commissioner Dinnie, that these constables had not been promoted. Prior to the Police Commission adjourning to-day, there were prospects, of a “breeze,” but the initial gust was the worst, and the gathering storm passed away as speedily as it appeared. Mr. R. A. Wright, M.P., was in attendance, and had been examining witnesses. When he was dealing with the last one, on matters relating to the Commission, Mr. Dinnie questioned his right to take part in the proceedings as he was doing. Mr. Bishop said lie ruled here, as elsewhere, that members of Parliament were permitted, bv virtue of their office, to-take part iit“ the proceedings if they so desired. Mr ; Dinnie: It appears to me that he (Mr. Wright) has come to persecute. Mr. Bishop: I would not allow anything of that sort.- • - Mr. Dinnie: Well, that is what he is doing. Mr. Bishop said Mr Wright had been asking questions relating to licensed houses. Mr. Dinnie: Npw lie is going into Retails that concern me. •- Mr. Bishop: Surely you wall give me the opportunity of satisfying myself that the questions are proper ones. Mr. Wright: I understand I must "not ask ■g, question which affects the Commissioner of Police personally. Mr. Bishop: If you have any information in your possession which is a reflection on Mr. Dinnie and will furnish me with, it, I will see he gets no- i tice, as required under the order of reference. He is entitled to twentyfour hours’ notice on matters which, in any way, reflect on him the same as any other member of the force. Mr. Wright: I only wanted to ask the constable a question. Mr. Bishop: Immediately you do that, the Commissioner can say that this is a matter reflecting on him, and that he has a right to have notice of it. He must have notice of anything reflecting on him personally. Mr Wright: Will I be allowed to ask questions when Mr, Dinnie and , Sub-Inspector Wright are giving evi<lencc ? Mr. Bishop: Yes; that’s a different thing from asking questions of a constable about his superior officer. As the Chairman pointed out that all members of the. force were in the sa_rne , position with regard to notice being , required,- Mr. Wright deferred any further examination of the witness.