DESTITUTE YOUTH
DETENTION IN BELGIUM \ _____ UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES LONDON, 21st January. Who is Joseph Robins, who declares he was born in Sydney, of Jewish parents, in 1913? A youth, it present in a serious plight in Belgium, Robins went to Canada with his father in 1925. His father died, leaving Joseph destitute. The youth worked his passage to England, but could find no work and in desperation stowed away on a German steamer bound for Belgium. In November Robins was arrested by tho Belgian police, penniless, and with no identity papei-3. The British authorities were informed, but were unable to assist beyond advising the Australian authorities. Meanwhile Robins was detained in prison until his 19th birthday, a few days ago, when he was sent to the Belgian labour colony of Merxplas, and is now working there for, roughly, 3d a day, “until he makes enough to pay his passage from the country.” It is reckoned to take at least nine months at this rate, and the £3 then earned will take Robins just about far enough to be re-arrested for having insufficient means of support. He will accordingly have another spell in a labour colony.
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Bibliographic details
Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 3 February 1931, Page 2
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194DESTITUTE YOUTH Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 3 February 1931, Page 2
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