THE REV. HOWARD ELLIOTT AND THE PRISONS BOARD

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 46, 18 November 1926, Page 8

THE REV. HOWARD ELLIOTT AND THE PRISONS BOARD

Sir,—l notice by your Issue this morning, a further statement by the Minister of Justice, that for reasons already stated the Government will not set up a commission to review the actions of the Prisons Board, the reasons previously given being: That the members of the Prisons Board are citizens of zthe highest repute. It seems to me by “their actions on the Prisons’ Board that a erv small number, if any, of we men ’of New Zealand share the Hon. F. J. Rolleston’s opinion to-day. One of your correspondents a few days ago, said that Judge Alpers’ judgment was at stake, I think the Hon. F. J. Rolleston must realise that it has passed that now, arid that the reputations of others are at stake, and the sooner be realises that there is only one way to clear up all this mystery the better, that Is, an open inquiry into the whole question, not an inquiry into only part of the question. Wo, Sir, want to know, how these men regained their freedom, not only Baume, bill Baker and McKay. We can only draw one conclusion from the Hon. F. J Rolleston’s refusal to hold this full inquiry, that is, that tho statements made bv the Rev. Howard Elliott cannot be satisfactorily answered, therefore,the Minister’s duty is clear, and I as one of the public demand that he do Ins duty, or else vacate the position he hobls.-I am, etc., FAIRPLAY.