DOMINION NEWS

Grey River Argus, 20 May 1942, Page 6

DOMINION NEWS

ILLEGAL PETROL PURCHASES

[Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, May 19. Three more motorists were fined by the Magistrate (Mr. Stout) to-day for unauthorised purchase of petrol from the service-station of Young and Bell Ltd. Hector Alfred Farmer William McDonald, was lined £lO on each of two charges, Carl William Dowling was fined £l5, and Edward Lyall Young was fined £lO. Dowling who had pleaded not guilty, reversed the plea after hearing the police evidence. INTERNEE SENTENCED TO GAOL. WELLINGTON, May 19. Sentence of three years’ hard labour was imposed by the Chief Justice on John Charles Klingenstein, 31, chairmaker, who pleaded guilty at the Lowes. Court to attempting to set fire to a bulk shed on Somes Manc|. where he was interned. Prisoner is New Zealand born.

Sir M. Myers said that although Klingenstein once professed sympathy with Nazi ideals, he now claimed to be a Communist, and said he could 'not get on with the Njazis on Somes Island. It was a somewhat difficult case, he said, but it was quite plain the prisoner must be sentenced to a substantial term of imprisonment. He told the prisoner he could not be regarded as la political prisoner. He had pleaded guilty to a very serious breach of criminal law. He must remain detained somewhere and .in complete control by the authorities, and if not sent to prison, he would have to go back to some place of detention. SOLDIERS’ TRAM FARES. ( P.A. AUCKLAND, May 19. AU. members of the armed forces including allied services, are to travel on any Auckland tramway route at a maximum fare of 3d, according to a decision of the Auckland Transport Board yesterday. Previously the charge was 2d, and a pass had to be produced.

FATAL ASHBURTON FIRE. • ASHBURTON, May 18. A verdict that death was caused by asphyxiation and burns, accidentally received when their home was burnt down, was returned by the Ashburton Coroner (Mr. E. C. BathurstA at 'the adjourned inquest into the deaths of Doris Emily Clifton, aged 27, wife of Mr. William S. Clifton, Alfred Forest, and her four children, who were the victims of a fire at Alfred Forest on April 14. Evidence was given by David Henry Clifton, father-in-law of Mrs. Clifton, that he saw the victims at 6 p.m., but his wife discovered the house ablaze two hours later. UNIVERSITY AND C.O’s. P.A. AUCKLAND, May 18. An assurance that the Government did not intend to apply the Teachers (Conscientious Objectors and Defaulters) Regulations, 1941, to -he staffs of university colleges was received to-day by the Auckland University College Council. The Council in April took exception to a proposal circulated by the Canterbury University College Council that the regulations should be so amended as to apply to university ■college staffs. The effect of this would have been that if any member of a college staff appealed lor exemption from military service on conscientious grounds, he would automatically be placed on leave or absence without pay for the duration of the war, whether the appeal was successful or not. . ~ The Director of Education (Dr. C. E. Boddy), in a letter, stated: It is not intended that any action re taken in the matter, since it is considered that the situation is one which can be best met by the -.oileges themselves under the powers they already possess.” £9OO DIVORCE DAMAGES AUCKLAND, May 18. After a retirement of more than three hours to-night, the jury found a verdict for the petitioner and awarded him £9OO damages, in the case in which Charles Patrick Belton, a sapper with the New Zealand Forces, sought a divorce from Joyce Doreen Belton, alleging that she had | committed adultery w’th Juuj es drum Scarlett, a driver. The pe .- tioner claimed custody of their tv.o children and £l5OO damages I

the co-respondent, Scarlett. The trial, which began last Wednesday was conducted by Mr Justice Fair. The jury found that the respondent and the co-respondent had committed adultery. His Honour entered judgment accordingly ar.ci granted the petitioner a decree nisi. Counsel was granted seven days in which to apply for a new trial. In reserving the question of custody of the children, His Honour said tint reasonable access must be given to the father in the meantime. BOOTS FOR HOME GUARD. WELLINGTON, May 18. “Payment to Home Guard units of a sum sufficient to cover the average cost of repairs for Home Guardsmen’s boots, has been authorised by Cabinet,” said the Minister of Defence, ito-iday. “Payment will be on the basis of eight shillings a year for each Home Guardsman, who quallies for payment of the capitation allowance by attending parades, totalling not less than 20 hours per quarter.” The Minister said the cash payment had been approved as an alternative to having the repairs carried out at Army depots, which, besides not being conveniently situated for Home Guard units, were in any case working to capacity on Army repairs.

PEOPLE’S MOVEMENT AND THE WAR.

WELLINGTON, May 18.

In a statement, to-day, Mr. James Crisp, Dominion Chairman of the People’s Movement, pleads for unity and concentration of everything we have on the war.

Following up the campaign of last year, the Movement will ask the national leaders (1) to broaden the representation, and power of the War Cabinet, (2) concentrate everything upon the war, (3) postpone the general elections until the main issues before the world are decided, (4) seek an understanding with one another for the sake of national unity, even if they desire to retain their. individuality of political principles. “The general election might be a rock upon which the ship of battle in this part of the world might founder,” he said. “It is not right to risk that calamity. Let the slogan be a united people with a united purpose, and to perdition with anything else. We appeal to the people to support this cry. The issues are clear, let us go to it and demand postponement of the elections.” GROWING OF VEGETABLES. AUCKLAND, May IS. Government action to ensure constant and adequate supplies of vegetables and fruit at prices within 'the reach of those in the Lower income groups was demanded at a meeting held in the Auckland Town Hall, attended by nearly 2000, the majority of whom were women. The meeting was stated to have the support of the Auckland Trades Council of the Federation of Labour. Representatives of a large number of women’s organisations were on. the platform. Numerous motions brought forward by women’s .organisations, urging that supplies of necessary foodstuffs be augmented and cheapened, were carried. One declared that the full statement of accounts of the Internal Marketing Division should be made public annually. The resolutions will be forwarded to the Government, and a deputation will' be sent to Wellington in support of them. Those present were invited to 'sign a, petition.

DROWNED IN DEFENCE DITCH.

AUCKLAND, May 17. Falling into a deep iditch which had been dug by the military authorities, Warwich Hugh Young, aged five, son of Mr. L. Young, of Otahuhu, was drowned on Saturday. With a companion, he was playing on the edge of the ditch, which contained about six or seven feet of accumulateid storm water, when he slipped into the ditch. The body was recovered about 20 minutes after the accident.