SHIP’S OFFICER SENT TO PRISON

Southland Times, Issue 25359, 10 May 1944, Page 5

SHIP’S OFFICER SENT TO PRISON

Breach Of Censorship Regulations / (P.A.) AUCKLAND, May 9. Aii officer on an overseas ship was today sentenced to a week’s imprisonment by the Magistrate, Mr J. Morling, for a breach of the censorship regulations by writing! a letter containing information about the movements of a British vessel. The defendant was James Ross, aged 21, who pleaded guilty.' . - It was stated that Ross was sixth engineer on the ship and he wrote letters in Jersey City, America, giving his name, rank and the date, of his ship’s arrival and projected departure. The censor intercepted the letter and forwarded it to the police. The defendants explanation to the police was that his ship left America before he could pick up his laundry and . his purpose .in writing was to get his brother to pick up the laundry for him and leave it. at the shipping office. There was nothing to suggest Ross was other than a loyal subject or that there was anything sinister in what, he did, but there were many notices posted on his ship warning against giving out information respecting the ship’s movements. Ross told the Magistrate it was difficult to obtain the clothing he required here.

The Magistrate said the consequences of giving out such information were so serious that the interests of the safety of the country and its ships made, it necessary to impose a term of imprisonment. The Magistrate ordered that Ross should be placed on board his ship if it sailed before the expiration of his week’s prison term.