Policy For Dealing With Military Defaulters

Northern Advocate, 15 November 1941, Page 4

Policy For Dealing With Military Defaulters

fSpecial to “Northern Advocate"] AUCKLAND, This Day. In the police court yesterday the first committals to a defaulters' camp of men convicted of failing to report for military service were made. The cases were heard by two magistrates, Mr. J. H. Luxford and Mr. F. H. Levien. Mr. Luxford outlined the attitude which the Bench had decided to adopt when dealing with defaulters. “When the Court finds that a person is a straight-out slacker he will go to prison,” said Mr. Luxford. “If he is betwixt and between he will go to prison for a shorter term and then be sent to a defaulters’ camp. “If he is just a poor, misguided perron with an inflexible idea, he will be sent straight to a defaulters’ camp." For Duration Of War The magistrate’s remarks were made to Allan Johnston Nixoon a university student, who pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to report for medical examination, stating he was a conscientious objector. His case had been adjourned by the Court for three weeks to enable him to sit examinations. Mr. Luxford said accused came into the third category laid down by the Bench and sent him to a detention camp. Asked how long the term would be. the magistrate said it would apply for the duration of the war. James Walter Corbett denied a charge of failing to report lor camp. Evidence was given by an army officer that he had failed to comply with three separate notices and that lie had refused to take the oath of allegance. Accused said he was a conscientious objector and had no intention of complying with military orders. He was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment, and an order was made for his committal to a detention camp at the end of that term. Volunteered For R.A.F. A claim that his having volunteered for the Royal Air Force and served three months in terriitorial training Should be taken into account was advanced by counsel on behalf of Gladwin Rack, who was charged with failing to report for camp. Counsel said accused volunteered for the Air Force in January last and was in camp with the territorials from January to April this year. He was later Informed that he had been rejected for the Air Force, and was drawn in an overseas ballot. He appealed but received no advice of the hearing and was later told it had been dismissed as out of date. Mr. Levien said he could make no distinction in the case and made an order for accused’s committal to a detention camp. Counsel said the man wanted to go overseas. The magistrate: Then I have no doubt lie will be granted leave from the defaulters' camp.