GERMANS WHO DESERTED FROM SHIPS

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22823, 23 September 1939, Page 8

GERMANS WHO DESERTED FROM SHIPS

PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT ALLEGED tlrom Our Parliamentary Reporter.! WELLINGTON, September 22, A suggestion that two German deserters from ships had received preferential treatment compared with that given to a British subject similarly Charged in the Magistrate’s Court at Auckland was contained 1 In an urgent Question addressed to the Minister for Justice (the Hon. H. G. R. Mason) by Mr H. S. S, Kyle -(Opposition. Biocarton) in the House of Representatives to M? y kyle asked whether the Minister's attention had been drawn to a report that three deserters from, ships, one British and two German subjects, had been tried in tlm Magistrate's Court at Auckland on September 19. The BriM wWwV ws sentenced, to 21 days’ imprisonment and the Germans were convicted and ordered to come up for sentence if called on iwithin two years. •:.. . u . i “Does the Minister agree with this preferential treatment meted out to Germans by the magistrate who heard the charjes?" Mr; Kyle asked. , l The Minister said he could only speak from recollection, as he had not had iime to look Into' the case. His recollection was, however, that .the Germans: had not been sent to prison because of their extreme youth. It was, he said, inadvisable to send youths to prison if this - could be Kyiie: They are depriving others from work, you know, , • ... - „ The Acting-Prime Minister (the Hon. P, Fraser),, who spoke to a point of order, asked.it it was .the 10l any Minister, to say ■whether or not be agreed'with decision.. ;Mp Speaker (the : Hon. W. % Barnard) said he had . been - doubtfid about allowing huHthad appeared to raise a Question concerning the Administration Of justlee,' which was the concern of the Minister.