IN CONFLICT

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 205, 30 August 1941, Page 6

IN CONFLICT

PRISON ROUTINE

MINISTER AND EX-MINISTER (By Telegraph —Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. The contention by Dr. McMillan Duneuin West) that a breach of routine by the warders had contributed to the escape of the four prisoners from Auckland gaol was disputed by the Minister in charge of Prisons, Mr. Mason, when the escape was under discussion in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon during consideration of the estimates.

Dr. McMillan, who was Minister in charge of Prisons at the time of the affair, said that an inquiry had been conducted, and it was shown that had the warders carried out the routine laid down then the incident would never have occurred. The routine for the gaol laid it down that the warders unlocked prisoners and brought them to a part surrounded by a big iron grille and waited until all were present, and then escorted them to the central assembly point. However, at the time of the escape the warder went into the wing and let the prisoners into the central position while the other warders were getting their prisoners. Because prison routine would no doubt be followed in future, nothing could happen in the future. "I have been informed by the Department that there was no deviation from the routine, and there was no fault on the part of the warders," said Mr. Mason. "I am also informed that they followed the routine." Dr. McMillan: The ControllerGeneral is here, ask him. Warders Upheld Mr. Mason: That is the advice the Controller-General has given me. I shall read the report for myself ancl confer with the officer who conducted the inquiry. I would not like anything to go out to give the impression that the warders were to blame unless it was evident that they were to blame. Dr. McMillan: I am not going to cjuestion the Minister's good faith, but if he reads the report of the controller of the gaol he will know what I say is true. I am surprised that the Controller-General's memory should be so flexible. Mr. Poison (National, Stratford) said that the discrepancy in the statements of the ex-Minister and the present Minister was serious, and it was obvious that there had not been adequate or proper investigation of the matter. He would suggest that such a discrepancy would add to the uneasiness already expressed regarding the administration of. the prison and the protection of the warders. The matter could not rest there, and there should be some independent investigation of the matter so that it might be known exactly what happened.

Mr. Schramm (Government, Auckland East) said that the discrepancy should be cleared up before the estimates were disposed of. There was something that needed an explanation.