SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 5 July 1928, Page 5

SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS.

AFFAIRS' AT ROTOR OA. QUESTIONS RAISED 1 IN PARLIAMENT. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, July 4. In the House of Representatives today Mr J. A. Lee (Auckland East) asked' the Minister of Justice whether it was true, as 'reported, that a. Salvation Army officer had been removed from the charge of the Rotoroa Island home for inebriates at the ultimatum of Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M., because of suggestions of perversion. If it were time, would l the Minister state what steps were being taken by the Justice Department to inquire into the matter, with a view to future organisation on the island and with a view to preventing; the Salvation Army officer concerned from being employed in any boys’ home. Mr. Lee, said it was stated that the officer was proceeding to the boys’ training farm at Putaruru.

The Hou. F. J. Rol lento n replied that the inebriates’ home at Rotorua ivas owned and managed by the Salvat.on Ai-mr,' although* the G overa rm on t had t-lie right to appoint a visiting officer. The Salvation Army officer referred to by Mr Lee. Major Home, was subject to the control of the Army and- not to that of the Justice Department. The Minister said he had not read the -statement referred to by Mr Lee. audi lie was unable to say whether the allegations, were tine or not. He diid not know that the Salvation Anny had reported *to tly? Justice Dejwirt-ment that it had held an -inquiry into affairs on the island affecting Major Homo, and decided to remove him. The Department had no control over any future .appointment of Major Home to any institution belonging to the Salvation Army. Neither did at have any entrol over Putarmru, nor did he know of any Government institution to which Major Home could be appointed.