BRUTAL METHODS.

Northern Advocate, 7 December 1918, Page 4

BRUTAL METHODS.

AT WANGANUI DETENTION BARRACKS. PRISONERS' CHARGES CONFIRMED. WELLINGTON, Dec. (i. According to the report presents-.1 to Parliament on the subject of illtreatment of military prisoners at the Wanganui detention barracks, the methods adopted there were very fr>v from humane. The Commissioner (Mr J. G. L. Hewitt.) said he was asked to ascertain: (a) to what degree-, if at all, the allegations in the letcov to a newspaper were correct; (b) vi force had been used, for what purpose it had been used; (c) whether it was lawful to use force for such purposes, and further, to make any recommendations as he might think proper for the future conduct of the institution. The method of conducting the inquiry was to see each mar; privately. "I have been able to discover littl-.' or no exaggeration in the statements of the prisoners," states the commissioner, "and so far as I have beer, able to check them, they are fair and truthful. On the other hand, lam satisfied that many of the statements made to me by member.-? of the barracks staff were untrue."

Generally speaking , , "breaking in" was accomplished in this way:—A weighted pack was put on the prisoner's back and a rifle was fastened to his side by means of handcuffs and a piece of cord, one handcuff being attached to the stock of the rifle and the other to the prisoner's wrist. The barrel was tied by a cord to his shoulder. If he was wearing a uniform the barrel was passed through the shoulder-straps. The prisoner was then ordered to march, and if he did not march he was pushed from behhv.l and helped along by the anus nmn-J the yard. When he came to a corner he was pushed so as to bu'v, ;> against a wall of tin, so that he wouN strike it with his head. At timos he was punched and thumped on t.V; back and on the neck, ,and his heels were trodden on. In some cases 1:? was kicked. In Donovan's caso. which the commissioner considers the worst, a rope was used by whk-ii to pull him round. Water was thrown on him while he was on the ground, and he was dragged for some distance along the floor of the yard. Beaton also was pulled round the yard by means of a cord, and he, Moynihan, and Donovan were caught and pulk:! by the hair.

The commissioner recommends that the barracks be used for tin; detention of military offenders only, and that objectors to military service , should not be sent there. The per- ; sonnel of the staff should be channel. ■ as none of the present staff had any ' special experience or particular qualifications fitting him for this kind of work. Some were clear!;quite unfit to act as prison warders. Hβ suggested that the new staff should be of specially chosen men, none under the rank of non-commis-sioned officers. That, in addition to the military officials provided for, the Minister should appoint visiting civilians after the manner of visitim , ;