EXPLOITING PATRIOTISM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16761, 30 January 1918, Page 6

EXPLOITING PATRIOTISM

UNAUTHORISED COLLECTIONS

TWO OFFENDERS FINED.

Two young men named William W. T. Dunn and William Jas. Courtney, who set out on i a collection campaign on Monday afternoon, ostensibly in tho interests of the ' Returned Soldiers' Club, wero promptly arrested, and appeared before Mr. W. Wilson, S.M., yesterday to answer a charge of soliciting contributions without : having obtained a permit to do so. Dunn 1 pleaded not guilty, and Courtney pleaded guilty. It was shown in evidence that the accused visited the Soldiers' Club« in \\ ellesley Street on Monday at about 3.30 p.m., wearing returned soldiers' badges. They stated that they could noither read nor write, and thus induced a returned soldier to write out an appeal to the public for donations, using tho club's notepaper. Tlio accused had their names put at the head of the list as subscribers to tho extent of 10s each, and then proceeded down Queen Street making their appeal. On tho way thev encountered a member of the Returned Soldiers' Association, who was doubtful as to the authenticity of the appeal, with tho result that tho accused were arrested in the bar of -the Imperial Hotel at about 5.30 p.m. By that time the subscriptions they had collected totalled £2 5s 6d, including the £11 subscribed by tho accused. When arrested Courtney had £1 3s 6d in his possession, and Dunn a few pence. They were charged with the theft of £1 5s 6d, and also, under the War Regulations, with soliciting money without a permit. Dunn went into the witness-box, and stated that be thought the document was a legal one, otherwise ho would not have allowed Courtney to go oil with tho collection. Ho was under the impression that the soldier who wrote out the appeal was an attendant at tho club, Courtney admitted the offence, and attributed his lapse to drink. He stated he had fought on Gallipoli, and asked for another chanco to go to the front, assuring the magistrate that lie could do more good for ther country fighting the Germans than " crackiUir stones. He offered to enlist at tho first opportunity. It was stated by the police that Courtney had a very bad record, and was regarded -as a confirmed criminal. Since his return from the front he had served three months' imprisonment for fraud in connection with patriotic funds. ( The magistrate said that Courtney's record showed' him to be a rogue, and his action in " rookiag the public " by nieaits of his badge of honour, in order to get money for drink, was a despicabloone. He would be sentenced to seven days' imprisonment on the charge of theft, and on the charge of soliciting subscriptions he would be fined £10, 'With tho alternative of two months' imprisonment. He was further fined 10s each on two charges of procuring liquor while'prohibited, and entering licensed premises. The magistrate said he thought Dunn's story was incredible, and, although not the chiti party, he had certainly helped Courtney. The charge of theft against him was dis- | missed, and he was fined 40s for soliciting. Mr. W. Inder, who watched the proceedings on behalf of the Returned Sol- > diers' Association, stated that Courtney 8 , badge had been recalled some time age. ' hut had not been returned. Ho asked that Courtney be ordered to hand it over, but the magistrate said 119- h!*i no power to do that, although the police would, no doubt, 'seo that, it was not returned to accused. .... . , .• Mr. Inder also elicited the information that Dunn had served*on Gallipoli, and was a member of tlio Wairarapa Returned Soldiers' Association. The sum of £1 3s 6d was ordered to be paid over to the Auckland Returned Soldiers' Association.