SEVERAL DESERTERS FROM SHIPS

Southland Times, Issue 23498, 3 May 1938, Page 7

SEVERAL DESERTERS FROM SHIPS

POSITION DESCRIBED AS SERIOUS (United Press Association) AUCKLAND, May 2. “The number of men deserting from ships in New Zealand is a serious matter and one for legislation rather than the Courts, if something is to be done to deter these men from landing,” said Mr C. R. Orr Walker, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court when Frank van de Burgh, aged 18, was charged with deserting from the steamer Loch Don at Auckland.

“It is apparently open to the worst class of men to desert from their ships, although I do not infer this in this case,” added the Magistrate. “There is apparently no way of excluding them. Another Magistrate commented on this very matter .only last week.” Sub-InspeCtor Fox stated that when accused was arrested he had said he had deserted from his ship with the intention of obtaining work, which he believed would be easy. He had also heard that wages were good. On the contrary, he had found that work was not easy to obtain and this was one man who was disappointed. “These men come here to settle and start their career with a term of imprisonment,” said the Magistrate, “The only thing to do is to punish them by imprisonment. I am naturally loath to send this young man to gaol.” . Accused was remanded until Thursday to enable inquiries to be made about placing him on another ship. Two Malayans were charged with absenting themselves without leave from the City of Canberra on March 28. Both accused were remanded for a week with instructions that they should be placed on the ship subject to the approval of the Customs Department.