ELSIE WALKER CASE

Evening Star, Issue 20314, 24 October 1929, Page 3

ELSIE WALKER CASE

GOVERNMENT URGED TO REOPEN INQUEST (P*b United Press Association.! AUCKLAND, October 23. A large public meeting called by the Society for the protection of Women and Children was held in the Town Hall to-night, when tho Elsie Walker case was discussed. , „ , . ~ Tho chairman (Mr C. J. Tanks) said that if anyone had come thinking he was going to hear sensational disclosures be was going to be disappointed. It was not tho time or the place to bring forward fresh evidence, it would he am ost improper thing to do, and might seriously impede the course of justice. Mr D Donaldson (past president ot tho Justices of tho Peace Association) moved that the meeting strongly urge the Government to provide power this session for the reopening of inquests. He said he was not there to_ criticise tho police, and he paid tribute to Superintendent Wohlmann. Ine trouble was that the Minister of Justice was sheltering behind tho law. - ‘‘We are not here to deal with the Elsie Walker case specifically,” he added, “ but some of us are here because we believe the last has not been heard ot that unfortunate case, and that the inquest should be reopened. Miss Ellen Melville, on behalf of the National Council ot Women, said the council believed it only right that every avenue should bo explored before the case was allowed to go into abeyance. Miss Jean Begg, general secretary ol the Y.W.C.A., said immediate action was needed for the protection of the country’s young girls. “ I nave not come here to condemn tho Government, the police, or individuals,” said Father Holbrook (vicepresident of the society), “but if I were to make an exception 1 would say tho attitude of the Minister of Justice is an extraordinary one. Ho moved thar. the Government bo urged that any provision for tho reopening of inqiests be made retrospective to apply to the Elsie Walker case. Both resolutions were carried unanimously. _______