ARREST ON SHIP

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 192, 15 August 1941, Page 8

ARREST ON SHIP

MEN FOR AUSTRALIA

FOUR SENT TO GAOL

ALL ELIGIBLE FOR SERVICE

Describing them as "deliberate shirkers who wanted to run away from the country," Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., in the Police Court to-day, sentenced to three months' imprisonment four men who had been found on board an overseas ship about to leave for Australia on Friday afternoon last. The men were:—Walter Norman Hogg (32>, a carpenter; John Armstrong (38), and Frank Walter Pincher (25), slaughtermen; and George Andrew John Lopas (24), an electric welder.

They were each charged with entering on board the ship on August 8 without a permit, the charge being brought under the Shipping Safety Emergency Regulations. In addition, Lopas was charged with a breach of the Change'of Name Regulations by assuming the name of "Parker."

Each pleaded guilty. Search on Ship

Senior-Sergeant Joyce said a party of police went on board the ship at 1.45 p.m. on Friday. The four accused were found on board, and they admitted that they intended to go to Australia. Armstrong was called in a ballot for home service duties, but his appeal was allowed. He was then called in the last ballot for overseas service. Pincher was called in the same ballot and .he came to Auckland from Southland in an effort to get to Australia. Hogg was a divorced man and classed in the Second Division. He said he thought, he would get more work in Australia than in this country. Lopas, who was found hiding under a bunk in the firemen's quarters, explained that he did not wish to be conscripted. "But we have since found he is a military deserter," added Mr. Joyce. "These four men are all liable for military service, and it appears they were all trying to avoid their responsibilities." "Deliberate Shirkers" Mr. Hunt: They are four deliberate shirkers who want to run away from the country.

On behalf of Armstrong and Pincher, Mr. Lind Mitchell pointed out that they were Australians. Having failed in their applications for permission to leave New Zealand they had taken the law into their own hands. Neither had been in league with any of the crew of the vessel. They were not conscientious objectors, and were quite prepared to do military service. They had been in touch with Australia concerning work, and realising that there were much better prospects in Australia than in New Zealand, they were endeavouring to return to their own country.

"They are four cowardly runaways" said the magistrate, who sentenced each to three months' imprisonment.

Lopas was convicted and discharged for a breach of the Change of Name Regulations.