ARREST OF SOLDIER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23507, 18 November 1939, Page 15

ARREST OF SOLDIER

WIFE MAINTENANCE ARREARS POWER OF POLICE QUESTIONED [by telegraph —PIIESS association] CHKIST(?fiURCH, Friday "We contend that the police have no power of arrest and any remand is objected to. The King's Regulations definitely state that a man on active Service cannot be arrested on such a charge," said Mr. R. Twyneham, who appeared in the Magistrate s Court this morning for Robert Henry lay lor, aged 26, formerly a motor mechanic, and now a member of the special military force, who appeared on warrant in lieu of a summons for maintenance arrears. "This man is on service, not active service, and the police have power to arrest him," said Sub-Inspector Packer. "He has been in the Bottle Lake Hospital and was arrested on his discharge yesterday. We are interested only in his detention pending advice from Auckland regarding the alleged offence. Wo want to see that he does not escape his responsibilities by joining the forces and leaving his wife destitute." "This man. is on active service. New Zealand is at war with Germany, and he is in the New Zealand Forces," said Mr. Twyneham.. "We ask that lie be discharged without any obligation to come back." "I will adjourn the matter without prejudice and with your protest as to jurisdiction on record," said the magistrate, Mr. E. C. Levvey. The case was adjourned until November 27, Taylor being allowed bail in his own recognisance of £25.