THE MAREO PETITION

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 204, 28 August 1943, Page 6

THE MAREO PETITION

QUESTION OF EVIDENCE

Mr. K. C. Aekins, who was solicitor for Eric Mareo before his arrest and throughout his trials, stated to-day with reference to the report on the petition in the Mareo case recently before the Statutes Revision Committee that this petition was presented without reference to Mareo's advisers, who did not take part in the proceedings before the committee and were therefore unaware of what transpired at the hearing. They acted in petitions that were presented last year and were heard just prior to Christmas by the Statutes Revision Committee.

The same question as was now raised by the Prime Minister with reference to Mareo's "refusal to go into the witness box" was raised on the hearing of those petitions, stated Mr. Aekins. It was pointed out then that the decision not to call Mareo was that of his counsel, in whose hands Mareo left the matter. It was stated that Mareo was willing to take either course, but that his counsel, using the best judgment they could give to a very difficult problem, and particularly in view of the fact that Mareo had made long and detailed statements to the police which could only be reiterated by him if he went into the box, decided not to call him. It was unfair now to use this against Mareo, who at no time "refused" to go into the witness box.

Mareo's advisers were of the opinion, concluded Mr. Aekins, that any further investigation of his case should be made by a Supreme Court judge, who should have before him not only the complete record of the two trials, but also the whole of the police files dealing with the case.

Sergeant-Pilot Warren Eades, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. A. T. Eades, of 604, Mount Albert Road, who has received his commission in New Zealand. Aged 19,- Sergeant-Pilot Eades was educated at Ngaio School and Seddon Memorial Technical College and played Rugby for Manukau. He has a brother on active service.