14 OF LAUNDRY STAFF CONVICTED

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23813, 5 December 1942, Page 7

14 OF LAUNDRY STAFF CONVICTED

COURT’S COMMENT ON “MASS DISHONESTY” (P.A.) AUCKLAND, Dec. 4. What was described by Mr J. H. Luxford, S.M., as a "most unwholesome cavalcade of industrial dishonesty" was disclosed in the Magistrate's Court to-day when 13 women, the majority of whom were Maoris, and one man. all employees nr former employees, of live Auckland Laundry, Lid., pleaded guilty to charges of theft of linen and other materials, the property of the company and of the Auckland Hospital Board. A further case was defended. Some of the counsel engaged alleged, in mitigation of penalty, that there had been laxity of control and that honestly disposed persons were soon led to report to dishonesty. All were first offenders and the Court always experienced difficulty in dealing with such cases, said the Magistrate, but strong action must be taken against mass dishonesty. In sentencing each of the 14 accused to two days' imprisonment with hard labour, the Magistrate said this was only a token punishment and did not represent the Court's view of the gravity of the offences. Yesterday two women charged with stealing laundry materials valued in excess of £SO, pleaded guilty and were committed to the Supreme Court for sentence.