SOLDIER CHARGED

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 32, 17 November 1939, Page 6

SOLDIER CHARGED

PROTEST AGAINST ARREST. KING’S REGULATIONS INVOKED. QUESTION OF “ACTIVE” SERVICE (Per Press Association). CHRTSTCHURH, This Day. “We contend that the police have no power of arrest, any remand is objected to. The King’s Regulations definitely state that a man on active service cannot be arrested on sucli a charge” said Mr R. Twyneliam, who appeared in the Magistrate’s Court this morning for Robert Henry Taylor, aged 26, formerly a motor mechanic, and now a member of the Special Military Force, who appeared on warrant, in lieu of a summons, for arrears of maintenance.

“This man is on service—not active service, and the police have power to arrest him,” said Sub-Inspector Packer. He has been in Bottle Lake Hospital and was arrested on his discharge yesterday. We are interested only in his detention .pending advice from Auckland regarding the offence. We want to see that ho docs not escape his responsibilities hy joining the forces and. leaving his wife destitute.”

“This mail is on active service. Ne:v Zealand is at war with Germany, and he is in the New Zealand Forces,” said Mr Twyneham. “We ask that he be discharged without any obligation to come back.”

“I will adjourn the matter without prejudice, and with your protest as to jurisdiction, on record,” said the Magistrate (Mr E. C. Lewey). The ease was adjourned until November 27, Taylor being allowed bail in his own recognisance.