MAGISTRATES CRITICISM

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21966, 15 December 1936, Page 5

MAGISTRATES CRITICISM

ABLE-BODIED MEN STILL ON SUSTENANCE

DEFENDANT GIVEN WEEK TO OBTAIN WORK

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.)

DUNEDIN, December 14.

■ “Loafing” and “a ghastly thing” were terms used by the magistrate, Mr W. H. Bundle, in the Magistrate’s Court to-day to characterise the actions of able-bodied men who remained on sustenance while work was offering in the country. Senior-Sergeant Packer told the court that fit men who refused to go to the country to work would be refused sustenance in future. “I want to know why this man is on sustenance,” said the magistrate, when a single man, 26 years of age, applied for variation of a maintenance order. “Are you physically fit?” The defendant: Yes. The magistrate suggested that the defendant would sooner go to gaol than work. The defendant replied that he would work if he could get it. The magistrate asked why the man had not gone to the country. "Are you content to remain on sustenance and just loaf?” he asked. The defendant: No.

The senior-sergeant said that if the probation officer failed to obtain employment in the country for the man he himself would secure it.

The defendant replied that he was prepared to take work. The case was adjourned for a week, to allow the defendant an opportunity of obtaining employment. The magistrate said that at present men could get work if they wanted it. “You don’t want to be a loafer all your life, do you?” The defendant: No.

The magistrate; Well, that's what if amounts to if you stay on sustenance.