INQUIRY NEEDED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 282, 27 November 1940, Page 8

INQUIRY NEEDED.

POLICE METHODS. WOMAN'S EXAMINATION. (P.A.) WELLINGTON", this day. Comment thftt the conduct of the police investigations called for a strict inquiry by a tribunal of competent men ver.-ed in the processes of justice in criminal cases was made by the Chief • Fu-tice. Sir Michael Myers, in the Supreme Court to day before tlie passing of sentence on a young woman who pleaded guilty to permitting the unlawful iisr <>f an instrument and attempting to conceal a birth. His Honor referred to the fact that prisoner had l>een subjected to a fivehour examination by the police without being si veil the customary warning prescribed by law. He ventured to say t<hat when the war was over, one of the most serious problems legislators and thinking persons would have to solve was the problem of interference with the birth of children and the slaughter of children prior to birth. It was explained that the statement was obtained from the accused with the object of obtaining evidence the abortionist, who was not known at the time. His Honor asked had she been promuted by word or otherwise that xhe would not lie prosecuted? Where it was .sus|>ected that there had l>cen a professional alKirtionist. the practice was to let the woman know slk> was not to be prosecuted if she gave information. It was not customary to prosecute. He asked counsel if he had acked the woman if any promise was made. Counsel. Mr. A. T. Young, said he liad asked under what circumstances the statement was taken. Prisoner was told all along, she said, that she had nothing to worry about, and if she told the truth she would come to no harm. Apparently she was worried alxnit the young man in the case, and they had told her it would lie all right. His Honor said he had pointed out over and over again, sometimes in Court and sometimes by fending for the Crown Prosecutor, that the procedure was wrong. He had directed that the matter be brought liefore the authorities.