7 JUNE 1919, Page 1

The present promise of the Government that constables shall start

with wages of £3 10s. a week and have better service con- ditions seems good if it is carried out thoroughly and quickly. The tragedy is that this promise, which was due to the police on the merits of the case, now seems to have been extorted by threats. The good sense of the rank-and-file of the police, however, has carried them through the worst crisis that has yet occurred, and if the Government are not foolish again all should now go well.