WATERSIDE THEFTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIV, 22 March 1921, Page 2

WATERSIDE THEFTS

COMMENTS BY MAGISTRATE -UNION MUST TAKE ACTION’’’ "This will give the Waterside Union a chance to purge their union of thieves, and to make lull inquiries as to who participated in th fi thefts on the Northumberland. H they do so, they will gain (lie thanks of the community. It; is an opportunity for them to show that they have other interests besides time and wages.” This statement was made by Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., when passing sentence in the Magistrate's Court at Wellington on a youth, a watersider, who had pleaded guilty to the theft of goods from thp Northumberland, “No one,” he added, “would be more pleased than myself if half-a-dozen or so were found out and brought before me.” His Worship, in admitting the lad to probation for two years, said; ‘Eorne months ago 1 admitted a similar case to probation. I have done my best to he consistent in giving fines and 'sentences. • . I propose to place this boy on probation.He has not committed perjury, but. has told the truth, and hidden nothing. He goes on to the wharf for a few months, and then becomes a thief. I am forced to the conclusion that tins boy has been a catspaw to men many years his senior. I will put, him on probation for two years, but this is not a precedent, let that he understood. I do not intend to allow tho probationer to work on tho \yharf. I have on previous occasions said that working on the wharf was bad for young men; not «o much on account of the work and environment, but ou accunt of the hanging round and waiting for work. This breaks the continuity of labour, and youth, especially, must have continuity, .■. . Detective Ward has said that when approached by the oolice regarding the thefts, tho shipping agent said there was not, in in’s opinion, efficient evidence to warrant prosecutions. Well, in my opinion, when such thefts occur, the agents should be the first to investigate, ami report to tho police; and let the police lie the judges whether there is evidence or not.’’ “The Waterside Workers’ Union must take action,” concluded Air Hunt. “Th 0 circumstances of this case are exceptional, otherwise I would not have granted probation. The lad would not tell the names of other thieves, and I am, as I said, convinced that he was forced into thieving with the rest.”