THE POLICE FORCE

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2655, 10 November 1909, Page 4

THE POLICE FORCE

NEWSPAPER OPINIONS ON THE COMMISSION’S REPORT.

It goes without saying that the reorganisation of the head office is urgently necessary, and Mr Dinnie himself will doubtless facilitate that reorganisation. The investigation conducted with exemplary patience and impartiality, lias shown that extensive reforms are required and that in the interests of the force and of the Dominion these reforms must be carried out by a new hand. The recommendations that have been made by Mr Bishop appear to us to be sound and wise throughout, and they have one substantial merit —m the eyes of the Government at least —in that they involve no heavy addition to the cost of-administration. The New* Zealand police force is one of the least expensive in the world, and, in spite of its troubles, one of the most useful. The material is excellent. It needs now only the strong and confident control of a fearless, experienced and impartial administrator to make it thoroughly efficient. —“Lyttelton Times.”

‘•A PAINFUL DUTY.” Mr. Bishop has performed liis painful duty conscientiously and ably, and the facts are on record. It remains lor Government to deckle whether such a condition of affairs is to be perpetuated, with consequences disastrous to the whole community, or whether such steps shall at once be taken as will effectually reform these abuses, and justifv tlie confidence expressed by Air. Bishop, with all these facts before him, that ‘‘our Police Force taken as a whole, is a credit to the Dominion, and that it compares favorably with any similar force in the world.”—Auckland “Star.” . THE FIRST ESSENTIAL. Tlie first essential to putting the force on a proper footing is obviously the appointment of a new Chief Commissioner, possessed of the necessary experience, judgment, and organising capacitv. Until this is done we fear that any attempts at reform are foredoomed to .failure. —Christchurch “Press.” POLITICAL INFLUENCE. “The more serious suggestion that political influence' might be at the root of whatever evil exists finds no.support. It is true that politicians exerted themselves in two instances to secure appointments for utterly unworthy and disreputable applicants, and deserve that censure which the exposure of their nominees implies. The elucidation of this-fact should act as a .warning to members of Parliament of the seriousness of interfering with this branch of the public service. With strong administrative control, sucli interference would not be tolerated, but with any system that might bo devised the highest efficiency could not be maintained under an official head who was as weak and .vacillating as Commissioner Dinnie lias proved himself to be.”— “New Zealand Times.”

GOVERNMENT PROPOSALS AWAITED WITH INTEREST. “We cannot agree with the extreme remarks of Mr. T. E. Taylor regarding Commissioner Dinnie’s services, but in view of all the circumstances, it seems clear that the first step in the direction of improving the administration of tho Police Department is a change at headquarters. The Prime Minister lias announced, that the Government has proposals to make on the subject. They will be awaited with keen interest, and it is to bo hoped that they will not be kept back until tho closing hours of tho session. Any proposals relating to changes in the administration of this Department should be most carefully weighed by members before- they receive the sanction of Parliament. It is of vital importune© to the whole community that our police force should not onlv he efficient, but- that it- should be placed beyond the roach of any possibility of improper influences, political or otherwise.”—“Dominion.”