The Argus at KellyGang 8/12/1882
Editorial
The continued existence of the Police Commission is a public scandal for which the Government is directly responsible.
Some time ago we pointed out that so long, as that body continues to sit, and to furnish a willing audience for the tittle- tattle of the barrack room and the misrepresentations of discontented or insubordinate underlings, so long must the constabulary force remain little better than a disorganised and demoralised mob. But, so far as we know, the Chief Secretary has done nothing to induce or compel the commissioners to bring these mischievous proceedings to a close. It appears to us evident that the Government is anxious to get rid of the nuisance which stands in the way of all practical reforms, but that it has not the courage to face the storm of vituperation which would probably be raised by Mr LONGMORE when he found himself deprived of his prey. On the 17th October the commissioners determined to suspend their sittings until they were informed what course the Government intended to take with regard to their recommendations in the cases of Superintendent WINCH and Sub inspector LARNER.
Finding that the colony's progress was not stayed by that demonstration, they met again in November, when lit was announced that the Ministry would communicate its decision in writing. After the lapse of nearly another month, they came together again, but still there was no information forthcoming. This time there was no terrible threat. Nothing more was heard of suspending sittings, but a deputation was appointed to wait on the Chief Secretary to represent that the commissioners found themselves embarrassed by the delay that had occurred.
The deputation saw Mr GRANT, and were informed by him that the Cabinet would probably deal with Sub inspector LARNER's case that (Tuesday) evening. Would it not have been much better if, instead of trying to weary the patience of these persistent gentlemen, Mr GRANT had informed them in October that he would not tolerate their attempt to usurp executive functions? The commissioners are not only destroying the morale of the police force by sitting en permanence, but are also doing their best to establish a dangerous and highly inconvenient precedent.
The purpose of a Royal Commission is to inquire and report for the information of Parliament or the Executive, but Mr LONGMORE and his colleagues desire to dictate the action to be taken on their findings. When the Executive Government is not obedient, and does not display sufficient alacrity in doing their bidding, they resort to something which is as near a threat as they can go. In countenancing such proceedings Mr GRANT is degrading his high office, and it is time that the Cabinet should interfere to teach these vapouring commissioners their proper places.
| ! | The text has been retyped from a microfiche copy of the original. We have taken care to reproduce this document but areas of the original text may been damaged. |
