DESERTION DENIED

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24534, 17 March 1943, Page 4

DESERTION DENIED

SOLDIER'S PLEA aversion to bloodshed (0.G.) HAMILTON, Tuesday An unusual plea Was submitted by Driver -J. W. Plnnkett. aged 38, married, when he appeared before a courtmartial at Ngaruawahia yesterday charged with escaping from custody and desertion. Accused admitted the first charge and pleaded not guilty to the second. Major W. S. Hill presided, and Major N. S Johnson was iudgeadvocate. Accused said he never intended to desert. His being absent without leave was not due to any desire to avoid his military obligations, but to an inherent dislike "through lack of nerve and spirit to bloodshed of any kind. His father had served in the floor War. and of his five brothers, four were serving oversens. Two of them were flying bombers. Plunkett said he was prepared to serve in a non-combatant unit in the firing line, but he did not know how he would stand up to such work as that of a medical orderly or a stretcherbearer. Ho had _ no religious or conscientious objections to war. The decision of the Court will be promulgated. UNDER NAZI RULE life in channel islands LONDON, Feb. 3 A lew issues of two Guernsey newspapers have arrived in Britain, and the news and notices they contain present a picture of life in the Channel Islands under German occupation. There are many references to the deportation to Germany of British subjects not permanently resident or born in the islands, with their families. Pulpit announcements of church changes show that several clergymen and ministers.were included. It is not clear when the deportations took place —there are references to postponements —or how many people were involved, though one of those concerned, a cafe proprietor, advertised for gifts of eggs, and asked for ]OOO so that he could give a hard-boiled egg to each traveller for the journey. Notices in these papers show that rationed goods include saccharin, potatoes, coal and other fuel, including gas and electricity,, and soap, and that the meat ration is irregular. On the other hand, all fruit and vegetables appear to be controlled in price, and the prices given are very reasonable. Grapes at Is 3d and 8d a pound seem fantastically cheap compared with prices in London, but the more staple products are equally reasonably priced—tomatoes, first grade, 7d, second grade sd, third grade 'ld a lb.; cauliflower. 7d a lb.; greens. l}d a lb.