“INFERENCE"

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2609, 17 September 1909, Page 7

“INFERENCE"

THE RELIGION OF THE POLICE.

DISCUSSED AT THE SITTING OF THE COMMISSION.

The sectarian spectre raised its head at the sitting of trie Police Commission in Wellington the other morning. The subject was introduced by Constable William James Simpson, now stationed at Day’s Bay. The witness handed to the Commissioner (Mr Bishop) a copy of a request which he had sent to the Commissioner of Poljce, asking for a return giving the number of Catholic and Protestant inspectors in the force, Catholic and Protestant constables, members of the force who had changed their religion from Protestant to Catholic since joining, etc. Witness explained that the information had not been Supplied on the ground that he was a constable. He protested against what he described as the unfair manner in which Catholics were promoted in the force to the detriment of Protestants. Mr Bishop observed that he had not the faintest idea of the religion of any man in the force. The witness said there were only three Protestant inspectors in the force. Mr Bishop: What are you ? Witness: A Protestant. Mr Bishop: Do you consider religion is made a factor in promotions? Witness answered that he did. Mr Bishop: Do you consider that a man’s religion should be taken into account at the time appointments or promotions have to be made? Witness would not g:o so far as to say this, “but;” he added, “all things being equal, the Protestants should get a fair show. ’ 5 Mr Bishop: Very well, go on. You were speaking of Protestant inspectors : Who are they ? Witness: Inspectors Ellison, Black, and Gillies. Mr Bishop : What are the rest? Witness: All Romans. COMMISSIONER IN DEPRECATION. “I may say at once,” Mr Bishop interposed, “that I deprecate in the strongest possible way going into this sectarian business.” The subject should not enter into the discussion unless it was a really potent factor in the making of promotions or the conduct of the force. Unless the witness was sure of the facts he (Mr Bishop) could not see that he could gain anything. Witness: I think I have reasonable ground of complaint. Mr Bishop said he deprecated the introduction of this question before the commission unless, as he had previously stated, the witness -was sure of his facts. To his mind it was a very undesirable elemeirt. At the same time, the witness could go on. Witness: I say that we (Protestants) have been passed over. Mr Bishop : Because of your religion? Witness: I don’t say that. Mr Bishop: There you are. You must show that it is a question of religion, and not of the merits of the men. What officers do you say have been promoted over you? Witness: I am senior to Sub-Inspec-tors M'Grath, Norwood, and Hendry. I am also senior to all the chief detectives in the force. I have been recommended for promotion bv two inspectors. and I have as good a record as there is iii the force. ~

Mr Bishop: How long have you served under Inspector Ellison? Witness: Five years. Have you been recommended for promotion by him? —I don’t know. What is your age now?—Fifty-six. And you consider you have been passed over because of your religious beliefs?—l don’t go so far as to say that. Mr Bishop: _ Then, why do you introduce the religious element at all? —The returns show that we have been passed over. Why do you say that? —I don’t think we are any more stupid than they are. OTHER PEOPLE’S EVIDENCE. The witness then endeavored to show that “those who had spoken about the present administration of the police wore Catholics.” A witness named Fitzgerald had talked a lot of nonsense at Christchurch about the influence of Freemasonry. “I am an old Freemason,” he said, “and it never did me any good.” Three Roman Catholic witnesses had given very strong evidence before the commission. Mr Bishop: Why are the Roman Catholics complaining, then, if, as yon say, they are getting the best place in the force? Witness: They want to get Mr Dinnie removed from the office of commissioner. What for?—To see a Roman Catholic put in his place. And who do you think they have got In view ?—-That is very hard to say. Of course you know that it was not a Roman Catholic who first made the complaints against the police?—l believe he is an Orangeman, but I think he was very wrongly advised. At this stage, Mr Dinnie, who had the files relating to sub-inspectors looked up, said there were two Roman Catholic and five Protestant sub-inspec-tors. Witness: I am glad to hear that. MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT ASKS QUESTIONS. Mr R. A. Wright, M.P., who Avas present all the morning, further investigated the subject. “Do you know of any case,” he asked ? “where a Protestant has declared himself a Roman Catholic in order that he might be promoted?”

Witness replied that he knew of one man who had changed his religion, and he was soon appointed an inspector. Who is that -—lnspector Mitchell. If a man is a Homan Catholic, or professes to be one, he has a better chance of getting promotion ?—The members show it to be so. Do any other members of the force hold this opinion —Yes, a great many have spoken to me about it. Continuing, witness stated that the present state of affairs was a reflection on the Protestants in the service.- He denied that the Catholic members of the force were more competent. Mr Wright: And you say that Catholic members of the force have been promoted in cases where they were not entitled to promotion a® against Protestants ? Witness: Yes. . , Mr Bishop: And that m spite of the fact that tne man at the head of the force is not a Roman Catholic ? Hew do yon account for it? , Witness: Political or other influence may be used. Mr Bishop: And do you say that Mr Dinnie is susceptible to these influences? Witness: I don’t say that, exactly. Witness suggested the possibility of things which might be done being suggested by Ministers. A man might not like to go against a suggestion made in the way he had hinted. “Of course,” he said, “I only infer these things.” “Yes,” added Commissioner Bishop, “there is a good deal of inference.”