Lange call for D.S.I.R. probe

Press, 11 August 1980, Page 11

Lange call for D.S.I.R. probe

PA Wellington A full investigation into the conduct of the police and the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research during the investigation of the Crewe murders and the Arthur Allan Thomas trials has been called for by the Deputy Leader o fthe Opposition (Mr Lange). He told Parliament that the terms of reference of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Thomas case would not allow such a probe. The Government had pardoned Mr Thomas, but it had then set up an inquiry to see whether the police were justified in arresting him — a case of a Government that had lost its way.

Mr Lange said, during the Budget debate.' The investigation into the police would focus on their practices 10 years ago, he said. The role of the D.S.LR. must also be investigated because its credibility had been severely rocked by evidence before the Royal Commission. Scientific testimony was vital in any trial, but the D.S.LR. was seen by the public and juries as partisan, he said. The inadequacy of the inquiry to deal with such matters was particularly unfortunte because $9 million had already • been spent on the Thomas trials and the inquiry would cost another $1 million.