"DEFINITE EVIL"

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 17, 21 January 1937, Page 5

"DEFINITE EVIL"

DESERTING SEAMEN

GAOL THE ONLY CHECK

"After I have had the opportunity of considering this and allied cases, I take the view that except in the case of young boys,: or in exceptional circumstances, deserters must know that they will have to start'in New Zealand with a term of imprisonment," said Mr. J. H. Luxford, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court today, when John William Wellington, a seaman, aged 34, appeared before him pleading guilty to deserting from the Home-trading motor-vessel Rangitane on January 14.

Sub-Inspector J. A. Dempsey said that the defendant surrendered yesterday to the police. He had signed on from London for the round trip, and had previously been on the Tainui. The defendant's character was excellent. In a statement read by the subinspector, Wellington said that his reason for deserting was that he liked the country. He was certain that he could make good in several avenues of employment which he enumerated, and that he would have no trouble in obtaining work.

Sub-Inspector Dempsey: The shipping company is being exercised about the frequency of desertions. There have been four desertions from still another ship. . . . I do not wish to suggest that the type of men who have been charged with deserting are undesirable as immigrants. The Magistrate: It will be impossible for the shipping companies to carry on business if such desertions continue. Mr. P. Gardiner, who represented the New Zealand Shipping Company, said that in some cases probation was quite in order, but the company felt that perhaps an effective change in cases of a general nature would stop desertion of this nature. If a man went to the master of the ship and asked to be paid off, there was no reason why this should not be done, if the man could be replaced. The defendant and the men who deserted with him left the ship without explanation a few minutes before sailing time. '"There are two of the company's ships on the coast now which are having difficulties obtaining members for their crews." ' concluded Mr. Gardiner. He pointed out that desertion was having a serious effect on the efficiency of overseas trade. "It has been patent since these offences began to come before the Court that the Court would have to take steps to prevent them," said the Magistrate. "Here we have a young man determined to come into the country, and we have no power to stop him. . . . There is a definite evil arising,, and punishment .is the only way to stop it. On the other hand it Is not a good thing to have a young man start his citizenship in this country with a term of imprisonment." ■ The • accused was sentenced. to -- a month's imprisonment.- . •