DESERTERS FROM SHIP SENT TO PRISON
“CONDITIONS BETTER HERE THAN AT HOME’’
(United Press Association) DUNEDIN, May 18. “We ‘jumped’ our ship because the conditions are better here than at Home,” declared Charles Smith, aged 22, who with James Wilson, aged 24, admitted a charge in the Magistrate’s Court of deserting from the Kaipara at Lyttelton. Senior Sergeant Claasen told the Court that these two young Englishmen. were arrested last evening. Mr L. H. W. Jones who represented the shipping company, said the Kaipara had now sailed for Australia on its way to England. These men were signed on in England and had been written off the articles as deserters.
“Desertions from overseas ships have been on the increase,” added Mr Jones. “It must be the attractive wages in New Zealand that are making men feel they want to stay here. We ask for a short sentence as a deterrent.” Smith: We will eventually get a job if allowed to remain here. Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M.: What wages do you forfeit?” Smith: About £lB. Mr Bartholomew: That is a bit of an offset as far as the shipping company is concerned.
Mr Jones: No sir, we don’t get that. It has to be paid to the Board of Trade in London. Both men were sentenced to seven days’ imprisonment.
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Bibliographic details
Southland Times, Issue 23512, 19 May 1938, Page 7
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220DESERTERS FROM SHIP SENT TO PRISON Southland Times, Issue 23512, 19 May 1938, Page 7
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