POLICE INQUIRY COMMISSION

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27443, 1 September 1954, Page 12

POLICE INQUIRY COMMISSION

EXTENSION OF TIME FOR REPORT MR CONNOLLY CRITICAL (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, August 31. The latest extension of time for the Police Inquiry Commission to present its report was briefly discussed in the House of Representatives today when Mr P. G. Connolly (Opposition, Dunedin Central) asked the Minister in charge of Police (Mr W. H. Fortune) whether he was satisfied with the work or progress of the commission. The commission, after an additional extension of time, was not required to make its report now till November 30.

“From the way the commission has been gallivanting around the South Island for weeks on end trying to ascertain if after-hour drinking . . MrC. G. Harker, Chairman of Committees: The honourable member is proceeding outside the requirements of Standing Orders in criticising the conduct of a commission which is still sitting. Mr Connolly: I don’t think I was unduly critical. If I . were to say what members of the legal fraternity are saying, I would go much further. Mr Connolly said the latest extension of time in which the commission must report took it beyond the date of the elections. • “This report is of vital importance to the people and to Parliament, and the report should have been tabled before this Parliament,” he said. Mr Fortune said that the inquiry was entirely in the hands of Sir Robert Kennedy. He (the Minister) had nothing to do with the proceedings.