ARMY DEFAULTERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24101, 21 October 1941, Page 9

ARMY DEFAULTERS

DETENTION CAMPS STRATHMORE AND HAUTU NO PAY AND NO LEAVE (0.C.) WELLINGTON, Monday "Considerable progress both in the construction of detention camps for military defaulters, as provided in the National Service Emergency Regulations, and in the formulation of the policy to be followed in conducting them lias been made," said the Mfnister of National Service, the Hon. R. Semple, to-day. "The first detention areas selected are at Strathmore, 30 miles south of Rotorua, on the site at present under the administration of the Government land development scheme, and at Hautu, some distance south of Taupo. "Areas selected will provide ample variety of developmental work of the utmost national importance, including clearing, roading, drainage, fencing and general farm operations in preparation for future subdivision and settlement. Conditions of Detention

"Each detention area will be a closed camp and the conditions of detention will provide that strict standards of discipline will be maintained at nil times. There will be no pay, although a system of minor monetary rewards based on industry and good conduct marks will be introduced. Once defaulters have been committed to detention they will hare no leave, but certain social amenities are to be provided within each camp. ''Mr. L. J. Greenberg has been appointed to control the scheme and the staff associated with this work will be specially selected for their personal qualifications and their experience in the particular type of work to be undertaken. National Asset "The policy formulated by the Government should provide an effective solution for a very difficult problem, and should also ensure the camps being run on the most efficient lines," said Mr. Semple. "The work undertaken wijl be of a civil nature, which, on its completion, should represent a valuable national asset. It is intended that as far as possible the camps will become self-sustaining in the production of certain of their own commodities. On present indications it would appear that the first camp will be opened early in November." Mr. G reenberg was general secretary of the Wellington Y.M.C.A., for some years, and later was station director of the commercial broadcasting station in Dunedin. BTRATHMORE ESTATE AREA OF NEARLY 10,000 ACRES (0.C.) ROTORTTA, Monday The Strathmore Estate, on which one of the two defaulters' camps in the Rotorua-Taupo district is to be established, comprises 9831 acres and was sold to the Crown for cash in July last year after lengthy negotiations by the Finance Corporation of New Zealand, Limited, then in liquidation. The sale affected only the land, the plant and stock being disposed of by public auction. Over 400 acres were stated to be in grass. Jt is understood there has been considerable activity on the area since, and during the past few weeks roading has been in progress. An inspection or the area was made last month by Mr. R. L. Tunis, chief surveyor and superintendent of the Lands Department.

SCHOOLTEACHER'S CASE CHARGE ADMITTED [BT TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] NEW PLYMOUTH, Monday A schoolteacher, Charles Henry Olds, pleaded guilty in the Police Court to a charge of failing to report for military duty. Olds' case was previously the subject of discussion by a school committee and the Taranaki Education Board passed a resolution concerning his case.

Olds told the Court to-day that he had stated his principles to the No. 3 Armed Forces Appeal Board and must abide by them, though his appeal was dismissed. He had not changed his mind in any way. He was willing to undertake any work not connected with the "militarv machine."

The magistrate said that as defaulters' camps would probably open on November 1 lie would adjourn the case until November 3.