Some Questions

NZ Truth, Issue 1238, 22 August 1929, Page 7

Some Questions

extensive knowledge with a curious public thirsting for enlightenment. There- was, he said, no sug- .. . gestion that the matter would be dropped until things had been finalised. .- ■.--.: Some of the questions put to the Minister were: — Did he think the public of New Zealand, and the north m particular, were satisfied with the manner in* which the police had conducted their investigations into thg Elsie Walker mystery at the early stages, or even later? Did lie really think that everything possible was done; to elucidate the possible crime? Did, he think the police of ' Auckland had lost any prestige over the handling of the affair? Wjsls he aware that evidence which seemed vital was not called at the inquest? Did he think anything would have been , heard of the remarkable, episode at Foster's Hotel at Wanganui if "Truth" had not made it public? Did he think the police would have to rehabilitate themselves with the public, andf that, to be open and above board, was the only way to ac- . complish that? V ; ; . ; r : , .> Mr. Wilford; as already stated, assured his visitors that, he had nevei 1 lost confidenc m the" police. His other replies were not "for publication. A brief interview "with the Hon. T. K. Sidey on Tuesday yielded no information. He assured . "Truth" he had not been approached; the matter had not so far been referred to him m his capacity of Attorney-General. .' Mr. Wilford, he thought would be the right authority to interview. He was riot able to give an T opinion as to whether the case, merited a further enquiry. He had given it no thought. A ring through to the Solicitoi\-Gen-eral, Mr. Fair, was equally without result as to what might -be done m the future. ;it was understood that he had not been approached- on the case or with regard to the latest development. " . During the last, few, days an Auck- . land representative of this paper called once again on Mr. E. Northcroft. Mr. Northcroft was one of the three solicitors who had sought the columns of the daily press to give the Bayly side of the case to the public. . Mr. Northcroft, however, -refused to speak unless his interviewer gave an undertaking that nothing would be printed unless he had had the right of censoring what was to be published. "Is it your intention to publish everything. I , say iiv.this interview?" he asked. "We wish to know your attitude towards a further inquest," replied "Truth," "so far as your clients are concerned." It was made clear to Mr. Northcroft that he was being interviewed with a