LEAVE OF ABSENCE

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20513, 1 June 1938, Page 6

LEAVE OF ABSENCE

POLICE COMMISSIONER LIVELY CONTROVERSY IN PRESB ALLEGATIONS OF PERSECUTION United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. SYDNEY, May 31. The Police Medical Board to-day recommended that three months' leave of absence " owing to temporary unfitness " should be given the Police Commissioner, Mr W. J. Mac Kay, who recently asked to be allowed to retire on the ground of ill health, since when there has been a lively controversy in the press, involving among other things the question of persecution of the commissioner. Thd Government has granted three months’ leave.

Mr Mac Kay has been In ill-health for more than 12 months and underwent an operation six months ago. His recovery was slow and although he resumed duty he was not restured to full health. He was submitted to great worry and anxiety as a result of the starting price betting commissions and attacks by some members of Parliament and a section of the press. Recently his mother and brother died.

Those trials, however, are not believed by many to have caused Mr Mac Kay to seek retirement. It Is even said by his friends that his application to the Medical Board was inspired from Ministerial quarters. Certainly he lost a staunch supporter in (he former Chief Secretary, Mr F. Chaffey, who lost his portfolio when the new Cabinet was formed. Mr Chaffey is one who has hinted at intrigue to remove the commissioner.