INQUIRIES MADE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 67, 20 March 1937, Page 9

INQUIRIES MADE.

PROCTOR'S ACTION

Thorough Investigation On

Three Points.

PETITIONER'S CONDUCT.

United Press Association.—Copyright

(Received 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, March 10.

The Attorney-General, Sir Donald Somervell, in addressing Court in I lie Simpson divorce intervention ease, dealt at length with the investigations made into all the circumstances stirrounding the case. He said "For some time before your Lordship's reference to Mr. Stephenson's intervention, the King's Proctor in accordance with his ordinary duties, liad been thoroughly investigating the ease, in which he had three matters in mind:— "(1) Whether there was collusion, "(2) Whether-the petitioner was accessory or connived at respondent's adultery. "(3) Whether petitioner's conduct disentitled her to relief. "The King's Proctor's inquiries into all aspects of the case, including the intervener's points, have not resulted in any evidence justifying me in directing intervention. Therefore I apply for directions in these circumstances, as far as intervention is concerned. "It is quite fair to say we have not grounds on which we could resist the application for removal of that intervention." Intervener Appears. Sir Boyd Merriman asked if Mr. Stephenson was present, whereupon a middle-aged mail rose. The president asked him if he would care to address the Court. I

Mr. Stephenson said: "I would like to say that the facts put by the AttorneyGeneral are substantially correct. That applies to any steps taken by me or anything that may have been said, but I adhere to the decision to withdraw and consent to any order the Court may make." Sir Boyd Merriraan asked whether Mr. Norman Birkctt, representing Mrs. Simpson, had anything to say, he having heard details of the Attorney-General's statement for the first time. "f welcome the full and comprehensive statement the Court has received, which must do good as it is impossible for the petitioner to deal with rumours, gossip and allegations' of pressure." 1 Sir Boyd Merriman, giving his decision, said: "The Attorney-General has stated that there is 110 evidence available of collusion or non-disclosure of material facts at tile original hearing. That phrase covers all possible bars to obtaining a divorce." He then a6ked if Mr. Stephenson was prepared to have the;matter dealt with immediately, and Mr. Stephenson replied in the affirmative, whereupon Mr. Birkett asked that the appearance be struck out. Sir Boyd Merriman consented and the proceedings concluded. EX-KING'S BROADCAST. EE AS ON FOR WITHDRAWAL. (Received 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, March 19. Mr. Stephenson, in an interview, revealed that King Edward's broadcast after abdication was one of the factors deciding him to withdraw intervention. Tho intervener was a managing clerk in a solicitor's office in London for a month. Mr. Stephenson told his interviewer: "I heard the,broadcast 011 that memorable Friday evening. He had been my lung. You remember what he said, 'I found it impossible to carry 011 tjic heavy burden of responsibility without the help and support of the woman I love.'" „ Mr. Stephenson added: "I thought, 'That man's human. I still have respect, sympathy and loyalty for him. I won't do anything to hurt or inconvenience: him.'"

SYDNEY FILM BAN.

DUKE SKI-ING IN AUSTRIA. (Received 10.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, this day. The film censor here has banned all pictures referring to the Duke of Windsor's ski-ing •in Austria, which were being shown in several theatres in the city. A later message says that the ban applied only to the scene of the Duke ski-ing, and was imposed by the actingchief Jilin censor, Colonel Hurley, who declined to make a statement on the subject.'