RAIDS ON HOTEL LOUNGES

Southland Times, Issue 25692, 29 June 1943, Page 5

RAIDS ON HOTEL LOUNGES

SEARCH FOR WOMEN ABSENTEES (Special) AUCKLAND, June 28. Two female investigating officers from the Auckland branch of the man-power department, two constables and a policewoman comprised the party which carried out raids on the lounges of three city hotels to check up on defaulters under the man-power regulations. They started their round fairly early in the afternoon and finished their last investigation at about 4.30 p.m. The procedure adopted was for the investigating officers and the policewoman to enter a hotel lounge while the constables remained on guard outside the door. In this way, although any persons were able to enter the lounge, the exit of suspects was checked, and any trying to leave could be held for questioning. After a quick survey, the investigating officers took note of the women who appeared to be in the 20-31 age group, which has been' registered for important work, and approached them in turn. It had been intended to take the women to a quiet part of the lounge, but business was so brisk in each of the three premises that no quiet corners could be found, and the interviews had to be carried out at the places where the women sat. POSITION ACCEPTED QUIETLY When a likely subject was approached, she was asked her name, age and other particulars. If her answers were not sufficient to absolve her from further questioning,. she was asked: “Are you supposed to be working?” If an affirmative answer was received, the investigating officer issued an instruction for the woman to report to the man-power department. No trouble was experienced during the questioning, and most of the women accepted the position quietly. One or two were inclined to be tardy in answering questions when first approached, but they soon provided the details required of them. Not many of the women .“ran for cover” when they realized what was taking place, although a couple tried to take refuge in a cloakroom. In those two cases, the patience of the investigating officers was greater than that of the women. The visits actually served a double purpose, as in two cases it was found that the women were wanted by the police. A considerable number of absentees from essential industries were found among the patrons of the hotels, and they were closely questioned about , their reasons for being away from work.