Candid Criticism

NZ Truth, Issue 1195, 25 October 1928, Page 5

Candid Criticism

BATCHELOR, It will be remembered, was one of the, best-known of the

younger members of the legal" profession practising m. the Cathedral City, a/ prominent man-about-town, and, among other aotivitiea, a pillar of the Howard Reform League. •In August last, he left his home town, ostensibly to pay a business visit to. the North Island, and since then, It is believed, not a living soul m Christchurch has received word fijom him. Though. the tangled skein of Batchelor's financial affairs has not yet been unravelled — and until that is accomplished no correct estimate of his/misuse of clients' money can be given— -It Is known that some thousands of pounds are involved! * ' The. point which "N.Z. Truth", would like cleared up, m the 'interests 'of those who were defrauded 'ot ttien§ money, Is this: Did those m authority know of Batch'elor's conduct before his disappearance and did they make any, attempt to check his nefarious transactions'?- ', ./•'-. . : : '' While Batchelor's clients might have been laboring along innocently, it was common knowledge to most solicitors —and many others m business m Christchurch— that the young lawyer was nbt.^playing straight. * As the result of his sudden departure, .leaving many people 'a great deal worse off financially, the Counoil of the Canterbury Law Society has oome^ into line for some trenchant criticism. To ffive the society, the opportunity of clearing itself fr^om the mantle of

dou.bt -which has fallen upon it — or of making some statement on the matter •—"Truth's" representative approached Kenelm Neave, a principal In the firm of Lane and Neave, and president of the society.

Neave, however, flatly refused to be interviewed, stating that he had no statement whatever to make on the subject.

"Ab you know," he said, "there is a warrant out. for Batcheior's arrest,, but beyond that I have Nothing to say for publication."

■ It was pointed out to"' Neave that the society was .being criticized m some quarters and he was invited to. make a statement, but he refused to be drawn into conversation, and even declined to give any. indication as to how the society viewed' Batchelor's conduct. What makes the missing solicitor's behavior even more serious is that the majority of his clients who were taken down were thrifty , members of the working class.

In some cases, the amount represented the client's life's savings, and these people are faced i with ... the \dismal prospect of starting all over again at a time when money is tighter than was the case when the foundation of their original' accumulation of wealth was laid. * ■=...••■■.'■,.

One particularly unfortunate case is that, of J&eonard Perclval Voice, who topk'rthe initiative and issued the warrant fpp.-Batchelor's arrest.

Voice is a pelt classer, employed at the Islington freezing works; both he and his wife have led a thrifty, careful life, which enabled them to purchase their own home.

But the prospect of a comfortable existence, free from financial