Arsonists Accuse Union Leader

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30827, 12 August 1965, Page 13

Arsonists Accuse Union Leader

(N. Z.P.A -Reuter— Copyright)

SUVA (Fiji), August 11.

Seven men were each gaoled today for three years for setting fire to buildings at the Korolevu Beach Hotel on Monday.

The men, all Fijians, were former employees of the hotel who had not been given back their jobs after a wages strike. Six of the men alleged in statements in Nandi Court that they had been told to burn the hotel by a trade union official. / Several alleged they had been intimidated by the union official. All pleaded guilty and elected to be tried in a Magistrate’s Court. After hearing evidence by the men and police, the Magistrate, Mr A. D. Anderson, said the crime had not been perpetrated on the spur of the moment. “It was carried out with • the timing and precision of a • military exercise,” he said. Mr Anderson said he had

taken into account that all the men were virtually -first offenders. One of them had a conviction for assault which he disregarded. “All appear to. be the tools of another man who wields considerable influence over them,” Mr Anderson said. “However, the Court cannot forget the fact that this crime carries a penalty of life imprisonment. Great damage was done and lives were placed in jeopardy.”