SHIP DESERTER

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 10, 13 January 1941, Page 9

SHIP DESERTER

DEPORTATION ORDER

FEAR OF NAZI EXECUTION

(By Telegraph—Press Association:)

AUCKLAND, January 10.

Wheii a Norwegian seaman, Arthur Ronning, pleaded guiHy in the Magistrate's Court today to charges of deserting from the German ship Augsburg, in Auckland, in 1937, and entering New Stealand without a permit, his counsel, Mr. George Skelton, said that after the: arrival of the vessel from Panama four members of the crew deserted in Australia. "Ronning informs me," said counsel, "that they were collected and placed on board the ship before she left Australia for New Zealand, and that on ."the voyage across they were shot. ■ "Ronning says he refused to give the 'Heil Hitler' salute. There were frequent fights on board. He is afraid that If he were deported he would meet the same fate as the four who were shot." ■ The Magistrate, Mr. Levien: Why didn't he go to the police and tell them about the four men being shot? Mr. Skelton: I suppose, being a foreigner, he didn't know what to do. "The Norwegian Consul says Ronning is a menace to other Norwegian "crews who come to this port," said Mr. Graham, of the Customs Department. "He has-a conviction for theft and assault. I ask that he be kept in custody for six months till he can be deported. He can be placed on the first Norwegian ship to leave Auckland. "A number of others are awaiting: deportation." On the second charge the Magistrate made an order for deportation, and on the first charge convicted and discharged Ronning. Slight disorganisation of tram traffic to and from Brooklyn and Aro Street was caused about 8 o'clock this morning by a collision between a tram and a milk lorry at the intersection of Willis and Ghuznee Streets. Not much damage was done and nobody was injured, but outward-bound trams were delayed.