MR DINNIE ON HIS DEFENCE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 273, 24 December 1909, Page 2

MR DINNIE ON HIS DEFENCE

"TREATED MOST U.NJUS'iLI." By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, December 23. Questioned regarding Sir Joseph Ward's' statement in Parliament on police changes, Mr. Dinnie said: "What the Prime Minister said concerning my resignation was incorrect, and he must have been misled. I told Dr. Findlay, at Christchurch, during the currency of the Commission, that before any mention was made of the inquiry 1 had intended to tender my resignation, and my reason was that I had been placed under the Justice Department, and had to submit all papers and correspondence to the Minister through that department, the result being that 1 found 1 could not carry out my duties to my own satisfaction. I never said 1 would resign at the termination of the Commission, and I had no intention of doing so. After the Commission was set up J. entirely abandoned any intention to resign, as 1 thought the inquiry might be followed by some alteration in the system, especially in regard to dealing with correspondence." Asked if he had any plans for the future, Mr. Dinnie replied, " No, 1 have made no plans. I may say that only yesterday morning I was offered the position of Inspector of Prisons, but the offer was withdrawn the same evening. Why, I know not.

■ " I consider that I have been treated most unjustly," Sir. Dinnie added, " but I 'leave the public to judge. After the allegations which I made against the ■Royal Commissioner, I think the matter should, not be dropped, but that an inquiry should be held into the evidence and flies of the department with a view to seeing who was in the right and who was in the wrong. The statement as to ' friction' in connection with the force and my office was merely put forward as an excuse." Mr. Dinnie said he would relinquish his official duties at the end of the present month, and would have six months' leave of absence on full pay.