THE EX-NUN’S CASE.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 November 1921, Page 6

THE EX-NUN’S CASE.

DISCUSSION IN ASSEMBLY. CENSURE MOTION DEFEATED. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Sydney, Nov. 18. In the Assembly Sir George Fuller moved his motion of censure in connection with the recent Ligouri happenings. The motion reads: “That the failure of the Government to bring to justice the persons involved in Jhe assault on Miss Partridge and her subsequent abduction constitutes a flagrant violation of trust, deserving censure ” Sir George Fuller disclaimed any intention o-f raising the sectarian issue. He carefully kept clear of it. His charge was that the sacred liberties of the citizens had been interfered with and the Government had not taken the steps it should have taken to see justice vindicated. Comment had been made about the alleged dilatoriness of the police which enabled ’Joseph Partridge to leave the country. Mr. Dooley replied that the Government had considered the matter one for the police to deal with and left it entirely in their hands. He tabled the police papers which showed, excepting for Joseph Partridge, that none of the perpetrators connected with the alleged abduction of Miss Partridge had been identified, also that one of the causes for the police not pushing the matter was Miss Partridge’s disinclination to take action against her brother. After one member had spoken the C4overnment applied the gag. Sir George Fuller, replying, disclaimed any reflection on the police force. What he claimed was that when the Government and the police admitted the outrage it looked like impotence that they were not able to find the perpetrators of that outrage. Joseph Partridge could and should have been charged and the suggestion that proceedings could be taken by private individuals was not made public until the day before he left the country. The motion was rejected by 44 votes to 34.