INTEREST IN ELSIE WALKER CASE

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LVIII, Issue 10212, 24 October 1929, Page 3

INTEREST IN ELSIE WALKER CASE

PUBLIC MEETING IN AJSCKJL.A.ND AMENDMENT OF ACT WANTED. Auckland, Oct. 24. The keen, interest taken in the Elsie Walker case was manifested last evening when a public meeti ing, convened by the Society for the Protection of Women and I Children, unanimously called upon | the Government to amend the UorI oners' Act by providing legislative J authority which should be retrospective for 'the reopening of inquests. Although it was a wet ' night the attendance numbered 800. A section' dissatisfied with the temperate review of the position as outlined by the Chairman, Mr C. J. Tunks, was inclined at: first to I ba hostile, but the opposition diminished as the subsequent speakers waraned to the subject; and the meeting closed on a note of enthusiasm. "If anyone has come here with the idea that : he is going to hear some sensational disclosures he is going to be disappointed," said the Chairman, in opening the meeting. "This is not the time nor the place to bring forward fresh evidence; in fact it would be a most improper thing to do, and might seriously impede the course of justice." . Among many speakers—including several well-known women —was the Rev. Father Holbrook, vice president of the Society. "I have not cornia hero to condemn the Government, police or individuals," he began, "but if I were to make an exception I would say the attitude of the Minister of Justice is an. extraordinary one." —(Hear, hear). —He understands the position clearly. He knowa there is a flaw in an Act of Parliament, but so far he has not made any move to have it rectified. His attitude is unintelligible to" me."