It must also be remembered that whatever advantages a Commission for taking evidence, Mr. M. may possess—and doubtless these are many—its action is somewhat unwieldy, and the difficulties in the way of the Police Commission have not been slight.
I am convinced that the Members of the First Commission never could have agreed, and even in the Report finally delivered by the second Commission, there were, I imagine, concessions on the part of both the remaining Members who signed it. As, for instance, in the matter of the Tonnage Dues to support the Water Police, though this measure is supported by our evidence, and reasonable in itself, I admit myself personally distrustful of it, as the first step towards encroachment on the boasted freedom of our port.
At the same time, the necessity of an efficient...