WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 June 1918, Page 5

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

GRAVE ALLEGATIONS, (Special Correspondent.) Wellington, Juno 21. Tiere is a very general feeling of regret here, even among the Minister's personal friends, that Sir James ADen has determined that the enquiry into the allegations concerning the Waaganui Detention Barracks shall be held in camera- People do not question the independence and integrity of the Stipendiary Magistrate who has (been appointed to conduct the investigation, but out of Sir James' own mouth they have an indication 'of the difficulties by which this gentleman is likely to foe confronted. "I had departmental enquiries made from the military and medical points of view, both of which were satisfactory," the Minister told the newspapers tba other day, "but I feel sure that further enquiry is necessary." What the departmental officers will have to say afbout a comment of this sort remains to be seen, Mt it is certain all their energies will be bent towards making it appear that everything i 8 lovely within the barracks and that the management of the institution has been grossly maligned. STARTIffIJIG STORIES. It ie being contended, apparently with some reason, that if the representatives of the Press are not admitted to the enquiry someone should be appointed to nwteh the proceedings on behalf of the piMc. The shocking stories in regard to the treatment of inmates of the barracks that are flying, about the country just now ought to be probed to the bottom, no matter what the cost of money and In departmental dignity might be. Officers who have failed to satisfy v 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 thi; .truth. On the other hand, there,!s >i maw of evidence on the other side, n"; pntftlg to lie fully corroborated, »i<n porting tfie worst of the stories Hi"' have wen told which might never roi the -Magistrate ttbroogh. a, holt ■ -.. .