Court Asked Not To Deport New Zealander

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29841, 6 June 1962, Page 12

Court Asked Not To Deport New Zealander

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, June 5. The law before the act was amended in 1950. did not empower the Court to order deportation and he submitted that this should apply in this case, said Mr A. B. Sievwright. in the Magistrate’s Court, at Wellington today. He was appearing for a

44-year-old jobbing builder. Vernon Morris McConchie, who pleaded guilty to having deserted from the Largs Bay at Auckland on August 16. 1947.

Mr Sievwright said McConchie was born at Wanganui and at the age of 23 enlisted in the New Zealand fo'-ces and went overseas. He was invalided ou; of the services to New Zealand. but wishing to do further service paid his own fare to Britain. He was refused entry to the services there, but he was able to join he Merchant Navy and he served in merchant ships for the duration of the war. At the end of the war he wished to return to New Zealand but found shipping was so short that he would not have been able to get a passage for two years. He decided to work his passage and signed on the Largs Bay. which arrived at Auckland in August. 1947.

Mr Sievwright also submitted that the case should be dealt with under section 42 of the Criminal Justice Act. which provides for dismissal without conviction. Mr R D Jamieson. S.M. said he was sympathetic to McConchie but he was not sure whether he was able to deal (with him under the old act. He remanded McConchie until June 12.