JOB GIVEN TO ALIEN.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 63, Issue 173, 4 May 1943, Page 2

JOB GIVEN TO ALIEN.

SIGNING ON OF DANISH SEAMAN.

SEQUEL HEARD IN COURT

(P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, May 3. Arnold Reinholt Larsen, a Danish seaman, was convicted by Mr E. C. Levvey S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court to-day on a charge that, being an alien, he engaged in work in a ship trading out of New Zealand other than in pursuance of a licence issued by the registration officer. He was ordered to pay costs. Constable L. Fox, Alien Registration Officer, said that Larsen had been registered as an alien on April 8, but his permit did not allow him to work on wharves or in any ship. No application for such a permit had been made.

Captain 0. P. Evans (Superintendent of Marine at Lyttelton), said he had signed Larsen on a ship when he had called at his office on April 12 in the company of T. Martin (secretary of the Seamen’s Union). “I knew he was an alien, but did not know he was a prohibited alien at the time,” added witness.

To Senior-Sergeant J, Bickerdike Captain Evans, said he had taken a chance in order that the ship would not be held up. He could not remember signing any other aliens on. Deserters had been signed on. blit as far as witness knew they had not been prohibited aliens. To Mr D. W. Russell, who appeared ■for Larsen, Captain Evans said he did not know an alien had to have a pass- . port to work on the wharves. As far as he knew Larsen had signed on the ship in all innocence. Larsen, in the company of Martin, had called at the Lyttelton Police Station on April 8 to report, said SeniorSergeant D.* Wilson. Martin had asked if there was any objection to Larsen signing on a ship, and witness had told him that he* was not eligible as he would have to be registered first.

T. Martin, in evidence, said he had told the shipping representative concerned that Larsen was the only man available, and that the ship would be held up unless he was engaged for the trip. To Detective-Sergeant Bickerdike he said he did nof know that Larsen was not eligible to work in a ship. The Legislature had decided, and rightfully, that this could be a very serious offence, said the Magistrate in summing up. The question of a penalty in this case presented a difficult problem. There no doubt had been a good deal of backing and filling over this matter. “I find it incomprehensible that a prominent official like Martin was not acquainted with the la# bn this matter, as he was the man seamen went to for information they required. It might be fairer to himself and to his union if he made himself a little more acquainted with the regulations,” continued the Magistrate. He did not intend to inflict a heavy penalty, hut if he had been satisfied there had been any contumacy about it he would not have hesitated in the course he would have followed.