THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19947, 15 November 1926, Page 12

THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT.

MR ELLIOTT’S CHARGES. INQUIRY TO BE HELD. STATEMENT BY MINISTER OF JUSTICE. (Special to Daily Times.) WELLINGTON, November 14. The Minister of Justice has issued the following statement in reply to Mr Howard Elliott’s comment: ‘Mr Elliott has made specific charges against the administration of the Prisons Department, and in spite of the categorical denials of his statements he has persisted in these charges. The Government does not intend to allow the matter of the alleged preferential treatment to Baume to rest, and therefore proposes to invoke the provisions of Section 17 of the Prisons Act, 1908, which gives full power for investigation of the conduct of prison officers and the treatment of prisoners. In accordance with the terms of this section Mr W. G. Riddell, S.M., in his capacity as a visiting justice to the Terrace Prison, will be asked to conduct the inquiry which will be open to the public, and due notice of the time and place will bo given to Mr Eilictt to enable him to be present if he so wishes. MR ELLIOTT’S REPLY. WILL NOT GIVE EVIDENCE STIPULATES FOR ROYAL COMMISSION. (Special to Daily Times.) WELLINGTO" November 14. Mr Howard Elliott states, in reply to the Hon. F. J, Rolleston, that he will not attend to give evidence before Mr W. G. Riddell. Ho stipulates for a Royal Commission of independent persons. The treatment of Baume in prison, he says, fades into' insignificance compared with the question of whv was Baume released. If his conduct was so good in prison, why was he made to leave the country as a condition of his release?