STATEMENTS TO POLICE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22721, 6 November 1935, Page 12

STATEMENTS TO POLICE

PRODUCTION IN COURT: POINT AGAIN RAISED (Special to Daily Times) : . ._ ;, ', AUCKLAND, November 5.: The frequently raised question of the right of the court to access to;/3oci>--ments which the police claim' are priviledged arose in the Supreme Court, to-' day during the.hearing of a claim, for damages arising out of a. motor car accident. A constable was giving evidence,, and admitted to Mr' 'Ndrthi counsel for the plaintiff, that he, had obtained a certain." statement -.-'from.,.the plaintiff's: husband. .' "I ask for it to be produced," said Mr North. ~,; ; . The hour was 5 o'clock, and Mr Justice Fair intersposed to say.; that the case would be adjourned. "You will make inquiries," he said to witness, " whether the statement is available, and you will bring it here. If you are instructed to claim privilege you will submit that claim. - " Constable Rattray said he had been instructed already simply to produce the plan. . I •■ ■• ■ His Honor: But you are now asked to produce the statement. You will bring it to court to-morrow, and in the meantime get instruction from your superiors whether privilege is claimed in respect to that statement or not. Mr North: I am asking for my owfr client's statement to be produced. There could not be much room for any suggestion of State policy there. If I have my Own client's, I desire also to have all statements in. His Honor: You will pro/luce Mr North's client's statement. ■ Witness: Well, I will ask to get it; ' His Honor: You will be required to produce it.'""• ~-,' . ■',",":