Police Administration

Perhaps the following extract from the Report of the Colonial Convention of the New Zealand page 86 Alliance for 1896 will serve to show how general was the conviction that the laxity of police administration in those days helped the Trade and hindered reform:

‘A paper was read on “Police Administration.” The writer made serious allegations of favouritism and injustice, and called for a Royal Commission to inquire into the whole question of police administration. The following resolution was then carried unanimously: “That, whereas the disgraceful laxity in the administration of the liquor laws throughout the Colony, against which this Council protested at its last meeting, still continues, and, as many recent cases show, is a serious and increasing danger to the State, this Council recognizes that an honest and effective administration of police reform is essential to the success of our movement. It asks the Government to appoint a Royal Commission of inquiry into the question of police administration…’

As a result of this resolution, a large deputation was appointed to wait on the Premier with reference to the matter.