RAID ON THEATRES IN AUCKLAND

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 88, Issue 59, 10 March 1944, Page 5

RAID ON THEATRES IN AUCKLAND

MANPOWER AUTHORITIES MAKE CHECK-UP (P.A.) Auckland, March 9. An unwelcome surprise came to many patrons of Auckland picture theatres this afternoon when they walked into a raid conducted by the manpower authorities as a means of checking up on defaulters under the Industrial Manpower Emergency Regulations. Officers from the National Service Department were divided into 10 groups, and every theatre in Queen Street was visited in time to make a check on patrons for the afternoon matinee*. Although no details were available from the department tonight it is understood' that, about 300 people were interviewed. Difficulty has been experienced In several parts of New Zealand during recent months in locating workers reported as absentees or defaulters under the regulations. A stricter policy in keeping check on them has apparently been decided upon, and today’s series of raids was organised and conducted on similar lines to those which were made on hotels last year, with the difference that, where the hotel visits were designed to check up on female workers, to-day’s drive was organised against men and women.

In practically every case a male and a female officer from the National Service Department was accompanied by a constable and a policewoman. They arrived at the theatres shortly after 1.30 p.m. and remained until some time after the programme had started. The procedure adopted was for the investigating officers and the police to wait in the foyer beyond the ticket office. A quick note was taken of each person who purchased a ticket, and those who appeared to be likely prospects from the manpower point of view were stopped and questioned. Surprise and consternation were quickly registered on the faces of many whose presence at the theatres at that time was illegal under the Emergency Regulations. In many instances their expressions showed that their enthusiasm for the afternoon’s entertainment had rapidly waned, and that they felt that they would have been better at work. Legitimate explanations were received from a number of people. When a man or a woman was approached the investigating officer asked for name, age and other particulars. If the answers were not sufficient to absolve the person from further interrogation the question: “Are you supposed to be working?” was asked. A varied selection of excuses came from those who were eligible for work, but the check was made complete by the officer issuing an instruction for the person to report to the manpower office. No trouble was experienced during the questioning, most, of the people preferring to accept the position quietly. One or two .vho were obviously in directable age . lasses took strong exception to their afternoon’s entertainment being spoiled by the firm hand of authority, hut the patience and courtesy of the investigators broke down their resistance. Many absentees from industries of national importance were found, and a few of the people questioned had failed to register for employment, although liable to do so. Similar raids on four theatres in the city were carried out on Wednesday "and the results were satisfactory from the department’s point, of view. Some of the people who were approached in the first raid were also among those questioned to-day. It is understood the raids carried oat this week will not remain as isolated instances of action by the authorities against defaulters. The regulations give manpower officers wide powers to ensure that workers shall remain at their employment, and indications have been given that where necessary full advantage will be taken of those powers.