33
when the I.G.P. has had to take the great responsibility of
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a decision and a very quick decision under difficult
and unusual circumstances to order the forces under him to
fire.
Whether he does so or not, or whatever the consequences,
he will most likely have to face a Court of Inquiry. The
results of such Courts of Inquiry have not, so far as my
recollection goes, had any unpleasant repercussions here, but
such has not always been the case in other countries. It is
common knowledge that the results have sometimes been, in
popular opinion, a grave injustice to the individual.
The essence of all this is that the I.G.P. besides
administering a very large force of men doing different duties
may, and does, have to take the responsibility of a decision
under, I repeat, unusual and difficult circumstances which
may involve human life, and I maintain that with that grave
responsibility resting on him his post is entitled to as
large a salary as any Government post other than the very
highest. I would ask the Government, therefore, to reconsider
their decision on this point."