POLICE AND COUNSEL

Taranaki Daily News, 29 April 1930, Page 16

POLICE AND COUNSEL

STATEMENTS BY WITNESSES.

QUESTION OF AVAILABILITY. \

The suggestion in a remit that the statements of witnesses interviewed by the police in investigating “running down” and accident cases should be available to the parties concerned or their counsel in subsequent proceedings or inquiries, evoked much discussion at the annual conference of the New Zealand Law Society at Auckland. Opinion was divided on the question. While one section held that such a practice was almost essential to obtain the best evidence, others contended that to give effect to the remit would mean embarking upon a dangerous principle. If it were applied to motor accidents its application te all eases might then be sought. It was suggested that difficulties would be overcome if the police would supply the names and addresses of the witnesses they interviewed. Several delegates stated that they found the police usually endeavoured to assist counsel so far as it was in tlicir power and supplied the names and addresses of witnesses. It should not be suggested that the police should act as agents for counsel. It was decided to refer the matter to the New Zealand Law Society to take such action as it may see fit.