WITNESSES' NAMES

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 97, 11 May 1937, Page 9

WITNESSES' NAMES

Counsel Explains Need for Suppression An explanation for his refusal to make any order relating to the sup-, preesdon of the witnesses' names in a case • which came before Mr. Justieo Kennedy in the Supreme Court in Dunedin was given by his' Honour when cbarges against a married woman alleging the use of an instrument to procure a miscarriage were continued. At the conclusion of the previous day's- hearing the Crown Prosecutor (Mr. F. B. Adams) asked the Court for some reference to the suppression of the names of witnesses in the interests of justice. His Honour declined to make an order or a request to the Pre6S. e.. Eeferring to the matter the following day, Mr. Justice Kennedy said he had not refused the applicafion on general- grounds, but on the special grounds that,* as the application had been made late in the day, publication and distribution might already have commenced. Stating that it was unfortunate the application had not been made earlier, Mr. Adams said the matter was of grave importance to the police. Wit--nesses in such cases were usually accomplices and were entitled to refuse to give information to the police, who had great difficulty in induoing people to come forward. It was the practice of tho police. to make no promiees in such cases, but there was an implied understanding that protoction would bo given. It was not so much a matter of doing justice as of a desire to save life. His Honour considered that ho had said all he should say at that stage.