The offending members of the Watch Committee were representatives of
Labour, but we need not insist upon that fact, for the principle laid down in the conclusion is applicable to all parties. It is not easy to see exactly how the principle could be put into force without over- hauling the machinery of local government. Mr. Eller- ington will probably be reinstated by the Home Secretary, but if he has to collaborate with the members of the Watch Committee who were so unfair to him the trouble may easily become worse than ever. Those members, of ' course, ought to resign. But how can they be compelled to do so ? A Chief Constable is responsible to the Borough Council ; if he were not so the local authority would be deprived of an important part of its present responsibility. Against that we must set the principle, which is even more important,' that a Chief Constable ought to be able to act independently, without fear or favour, and without feeling that his living depends upon " keeping in " with dishonourable employers. As the law stands one can only hope that local authorities will learn that they will never get faithful service from officials who are not trusted and given considerable freedom of 'judgment.
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