SYDNEY DESERTERS DESERTED.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 192, 15 August 1925, Page 14

SYDNEY DESERTERS DESERTED.

"Consular officers have no right or desire to have Fleet deserters arrested. We do not regard men who desert as desirable citizens. If Australia does not want them, they are out of luck," said Mr! Lawton, American Consul-General, Sydney, to a reporter who was asking what it was intended to do about the men who deeerted in Australia. "No arrangements have yet been made to return to the Fleet any deserters who are picked up," said Mr. Lawtdn. "We don't want them. They are not good citizens." "But isn't anything being done to pick up these men T" he was asked. "That is • not the business of the Consul,".lie replied. Mr>La-wton added that the men were liable to imprisonment "for desertion, but the United States could do nothing. "It is the work of the Australian authorities to get rid of them. Presumably they could arrest them when found for being in the Country unlawfully, and they could deport them." "The United States naval authorities would then handle the matter," he added. The Metropolitan Superintendent of Police was asked what action the police might take about deserters from the American warships. "They are committing no offence," said Mr. Mitchell. "We do not take any interest in them at all, except through the American Consul, and he has not invoked' our aid in any way."