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In spite of the need to augment and strengthen the Police Force there has been no reduction in the standard of the entrants, but where the candidates are otherwise satisfactory and are of good physique they have been accepted under the age of twentyone years for training purposes. The Police Force offers an attractive and secure career for ambitious, energetic, trustworthy, and healthy young men, and very close attention is given to their training in courtesy and service to the public. The syllabus of training of recruits includes instruction in law and Court procedure, the method of preparing statements and of furnishing reports, while the course also covers instruction in many practical aspects of police work, including ballistics, finger-printing, and first aid. The use of films for instructional purposes has proved most helpful. A satisfactory standard of discipline and efficiency has been maintained in the Force during the period under review, and the conduct of members as a whole has been quite good. During the year a substantial increase in the remuneration of members of the Force of all ranks, from Superintendents to junior constables, and including matrons and members of the Women's Division, was approved. It appears that this improvement in the scale of pay and allowances has given general satisfaction. Women Police.—Of the 32 women police employed by the Department as at 31st March, 1949, 12 are located at Auckland, 12 at Wellington, 7 at Christchurch, and 1 at Dunedin. No additional women police were appointed during the year, but steps to strengthen the Women's Division are being taken, and two members are now available at Dunedin. Excellent work has been done by members of the Women's Division, particularly in performing various duties associated with women and children. Close liaison is maintained with the Child Welfare Department, and charitable, social welfare, and church organizations. It is the practice also to address various women's organizations, thus bringing under their notice the type of duties performed by the women police and seeking their co-operation and assistance in furthering the work of the Division. While the women police carry out specialized duties calling for distinctive qualities, particularly in connection with offences against women and children, they work in close co-operation with members of both the uniform and detective branches. Under presentday conditions the Women's Division forms a valuable and indispensable branch of Police service. 'Retirements. —After almost forty years' service with the Police Department, Mr. R. F. Madden, 0.8. E., the Secretary of the Department, has retired. I desire to place on record my appreciation of the outstanding service rendered by him, unselfishly and always with marked ability, courtesy, and unswerving loyalty. Two senior and experienced officers of the Police Force, Superintendent D. Cameron and Superintendent J. A. Dempsey, have also retired. They, too, have rendered long and faithful service, and I wish to place on record my appreciation of their work. His Majesty the King has been pleased to confer on Superintendent Dempsey the decoration of 0.8. E. in recognition of his services. Conference of Commissioners of Police. —An event of outstanding importance was a conference of Commissioners of Police, held in New Zealand from 30th November to 11th December, 1948. In the past the Commissioners have met at various centres in Australia, but this is the first occasion on which a meeting has been held in the Dominion. Present at the conference were the Commissioners of Police for New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Fiji, and New Zealand, the Chief Officer of Police, Canberra, and the Chief Inspector and an Inspector of Police representing the Commissioner of

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