WANGANUI BARRACKS.

Taihape Daily Times, 22 June 1918, Page 5

WANGANUI BARRACKS.

WELLINGTON, June 21. There is a very general feeling of regret here, even among the Minister's personal friends, that Sir James Allen has determined that the enquiry into the allegations concerning the Wanganui Detention Barracks shall, he held in camera. People do not question the independence and integrity of trie Stipendiary Magistrate who has been appointed to conduct the investigation but out of Sir James Allen's own mo.uth the}' have an indication of the difficulties by which this gentleman is likely to be confronted. "I had departmental enquiries made from the military and medical points of vfew, both of which were satisfactory," the Minister told the newspapers the other daj', "but I f.eel sure that further enquiry is necessary." What the departmental officers will have to say about a comment of this sort remains to be seen, but it is certain all their energies will be bent towards making it appear that everything is lovely within the Barracks and that the management of the institution has been grossly maligned.

It is being contended, apparently with some reason, that if the representatives of the Press ©re not admitted to the enquiry someone should bo appointed to watch the proceedings on behalf of the public. The shocking stories in regard to the treatment of inmates of the barracks that arc flying about the country just now ought tc be probed to the bottom, no matter what the cost in money and in departmental dignity might be. Officers who have failed to satisfy the Minister, with his natural and proper bias towards constituted authority, as to their qualifications to express an opinion upon the subject can hardly be accepted as infallible witnesses to the truth. On the other hand, there is a mass of evidence on the other side, purporting to be fully corroborated, supporting the worst of the stories that have been told which might never reach the Magistrate through a hole and corner enquiry.