DESERTER IN COURT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 265, 9 October 1939, Page 8

DESERTER IN COURT.

SURRENDER TO THE POLICE. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Oct. 9. Deference to a recent Auckland case in which two German youths and British seamen appeared on of desertion was made in the Magistrate’s Court to-day by Mr .1. A. Scott, who was appearing for Murdo Maciver, a seaman, aged 29, who pleaded guilty to n charge of desertion. Mr Scott said defendant had been a member of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve in England, and when the war broke out ho went to the Navy Office here and offered his services. He told them he was a deserter, but the Navy Office said he need not worry about that and to hold himself in readiness to serve if required. However, at the week-end he went to the police station and gave himself up. Mr Scott suggested a penalty other than imprisonment. “The Courts,” he said, “have seen fit recently to extend similar leniency to men who arc not members of the British race.”

The Magistrate (Mr J. L. Stout): Not this Court. Maciver was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence if called upon within six months, a condition being that he pay-- the costs involved.