Truth THE NATIONAL PAPER THURSDAY, JANUARY 31,, 1929. Weighed In The Balance

NZ Truth, Issue 1209, 31 January 1929, Page 4

Truth THE NATIONAL PAPER THURSDAY, JANUARY 31,, 1929. Weighed In The Balance

♦ WITHIN the past five years the criminal investigation service of New Zealand has written the disturbing word "Failure" at the close of some shocking murder cases which came within the purview of its operations. AVhen oi;e commences to delve around the central roots of the question, it becomes evident that the prime factor lies not m thc incompetence of those toiling units comprising our detective I force, .so much < as m the misdirection and ineptitude of those who control these units. If the newly-appointed Minister of Justice, the Hon. T. M. Wilford, correctly interprets thc obviously bitter censure expressed by the New Zealand Press m relation to the disgraceful example of Elsie Walker's death, he .should immediately set up a special commission to enquire not only into ' individual shortcomings, but also stringently to investigate the whole system of crime detection m this country. ' Had requisite and immediate attention been focussed upon the suspicious circumstances m which Elsie Walker's death was shrouded, it is "highly probable that her slayer Avo.uld. now be awaiting his trial on a capital charge. Instead, the murderer has escaped, and the coroner, perforce, had to scratch his pen through 'the whole unsatisfactory business, while the public spirit is uneasily considering just what degree of protection' it may expect m the future. There was a full measure of stupid talk at the inquest concerning "A certain section of the Press" which had displayed the temerity* to suggest that Elsie Walker was murdered, but there does not appear to be the slightest doubt that the girl was feloniously ; killed, and Magistrate Hunt's opinion, was. clearly parallel with the declarations of "N.Z/ Truth" m this direction.. Eighteen months ago, Gwen Scarf e was: done to death, and she ; too, has her name written on the unedifying police list oil undetected crimes. The detective divisions m the principal cities of New ' Zealand are understaffed and ill-paid, while there exists the crass system of ■.transferring specialists m crime to the uniform branch, at a time when their usefulness as investigators is at its very peak. If the Minister of Justice is desirous of striking a precedent m the intelligent direction bf the police force, if he can perceive the strong element of public dissatisfaction .at the way m which criminal investigation officers are asked to .carry out their duties, .often hampered by the prejudice of their superior officers, then he should display no hesitation m taking steps to remove the reproach which at present lies against the name of police administration.