H.—l6.

Training-school.—Owing to the Centennial Exhibition being held in Wellington and extra men being required for duty there, an extra batch of recruits was put through training prior to the opening of the Exhibition. The accommodation at the training-school was then utilized for accommodating the men on duty at the Exhibition, thus obviating heavy expense in obtaining lodging for them outside. No difficulty has been experienced in obtaining suitable recruits for the Service. This is due in a large measure to the attractive conditions in the Service itself and the opportunities available to men who wish to advance in it. The pay, working conditions, and general outlook are so good that they appeal to young men. Women Police.—lt is hoped to introduce women police in the very near future. War Activities .—Follow ing the outbreak of war on the 4th September last the police have had a very busy time. The coming into force of the Alien Control Emergency Regulations necessitated the registration of all aliens in New Zealand. This work was undertaken by this Department, and was completed within a very short space of time. The regulations are working very satisfactorily. A number of German nationals have been interned on Somes Island. All aliens and naturalized British subjects were required to obtain a licence to work on a wharf or on a ship. This was attended to forthwith. All aliens must notify change of abode, and enemy aliens are required to obtain a permit if absent from their homes for more than twenty-four hours. The Public Safety Emergency Regulations came into force on the 21st February, revoking Regulation 14 of the Censorship and Publicity Emergency Regulations 1939. These regulations gave the police extended powers to deal with subversive statements. Many cases have been taken and the offenders prosecuted to conviction. The position is now satisfactory. A few organizations gave trouble at the outset by attempting to hold meetings in public places in defiance of the regulations and police authority, but firm handling has brought about a cessation of their attempts. As far as meetings in public places are concerned, there is now no difficulty. Various organizations have accepted the position as a wartime and necessary provision. Enlistment for War Service.—A great number of our men have enlisted for service. Some of them who had service in the fighting Forces and were required in key positions were granted leave without pay for the duration of the war that they might serve overseas —some in the Army and others in the Navy. Others, again, who wished to go overseas could not be spared, as they were men of experience, and in view of the onerous duties cast on the police by war conditions it was inadvisable to allow them to go. Their applications to serve overseas are to be reviewed later in the light of then existing conditions. The Centennial Exhibition.—The Exhibition was opened on the Bth November last by His Excellency the Governor-General and closed on the 4th May. A special section of thirty police did duty at the Exhibition. Sub-Inspector D. J. O'Neill was in charge, and Detective-Sergeant P. Doyle had charge of the Detective Branch under Sub-Inspector O'Neill. I heard nothing but commendation of the courteous, helpful, and tactful way in which the police carried out their duties. I would like to thank the managing-director, the directors, the secretary, His Worship the Mayor of Wellington, and all those connected with the management, also the stallholders, for the assistance and co-operation given the police during the period of the Exhibition. lam pleased to be able to report that there was very little crime committed at the Exhibition, and what there was was almost wholly cleared up What crime there was was of a trivial nature, such as petty stealing. The general conduct of the showmen was on the whole very good. The total attendance of the public ran into over two millions and a half, and their conduct left nothing to be desired—their honesty was outstanding, as evidenced by the number of articles and amount of money found from time to time and handed in to the police office. It speaks volumes for the honesty of our people. Liquor at Dance-halls, dc. —The legislation passed last session has been a pronounced success Numerous prosecutions for this class of offence have been taken throughout the Dominion, and the Courts by the imposition of salutary penalties have been very helpful. In country districts the legislation has been a blessing. There is already a very marked improvement in the conduct of all dances. Commissioners' Conference in Brisbane.—On the invitation of the Commissioner of Police at Brisbane, who convened a Conference of Police Commissioners from the Commonwealth of Australia and New Zealand, I attended the Conference by request of the Right Hon. the Minister in Charge of this Department (Right Hon. P. Eraser). The Conference opened at Brisbane on the 31st July last and concluded on the 4th August. The Hon. the Minister in Charge of Police, Queensland (Mr. E. Ha'nlon) opened the Conference. The Government of Queensland entertained the Commissioners at luncheon on the 31st July, and spared no effort to make our stay in Queensland enjoyable. It also presented each Commissioner and his wife with a memento of the occasion. The Commissioner of Police for Queensland (Captain E. J. Carroll, M.V.0., M.C.) and Mrs. Carroll also did everything possible to make our stay in their State a happy one. This was the first Conference to which New Zealand had sent a representative. A great deal is to be gained by attending such a Conference. Although much of the matter on the order-paper had no application to New Zealand and dealt entirely with inter-State problems, the discussion on such problems was interesting, as many of the points raised and discussed may arise in New Zealand. Subjects of interest to New Zealand were discussed and much information gained that is likely to be of benefit to the Police Force of the Dominion. After the Conference had concluded I spent a short time in conferring with the Commissioners at Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne in their respective cities looking into the nature of their activities in all aspects of Police administration. Extracts from reports of officers in charge of districts are appended. D. J. Cummings, Commissioner of Police.

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