H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 13979, 12 May 1913, Page 3

H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND.

SAILS FOR LYTTELTON. (Per United Press. Association.) AUCKLAND, May 10. After a stay of ten days in Auckland, 11.M.5. New Zealand left at 9 o’clock this morning for Lyttelton. A fair number of people gathered to sec the vessel oil', but as she returns to Auckland before leaving finally, there was no formal demonstration of farewell. TEN OF THE CREW MISSING. IMPORTANT STATEMENT BY THE -- . ATTOIL.-EV-GENERAL. SOME OF THE MEN TEMPTED TO DESERT. A SERIOUS OFFENCE. AUCKLAND, May 11. Ton men wore missing from the New Zealand when she left Auckland on Saturday morning. Of three others who improperly absented themselves from the ship during her stay at Auckland, one was arrested and the other two returned to duty. It is also reported that several men deserted horn the ship at Welliugi mi.

An important statement on the subject was made to a reporter to-day by the Minister for Justice, tile Hon. Mr Herdman. He said it had been brought to his notice that in one respect those responsible for the battle cruiser New Zealand and the ship’s company were not receiving fair treatment at the .hands of a few thoughtless people in the community. Information in life possession made it clear that there is little doubt that men from the cruiser were frequently enticed to desert from service by some employers of labour, under the promise of high wages. “Liberty men when on shore, are given plain clothes to enable them to desert,” Mr Herdman stated. *‘T know of one specific instance of two men who, having Ijccn persuaded to desert, more »r less against their will, and having later on repented of their decision, experienced difficulty in getting -away to return to their duty. Besides this, liquor has been taken on board and given to’ men by visitors to the ship. No doubt this has been done in a spirit of kindness, but it is grossly unfair to Captain Halsey and bis officers, whose duty it is to. keep the -hip fully manned. It is perhaps riot well known that persons who assist or persuade men to desert from a- ship, of war are liable to be prosecuted. The Minister continued: “For the information of the public I bud better quote the sections of the Imperial statute in force in New Zealand—the Naval Discipline Act, 1866, which deals with cases of. interference with men who arc serving his Majesty the King. They arc as follow: “Section 25.—1f any person not subject to this Act assists or procures any subject to this Act to desert or improperly absent himself from his duty, or conceals, employs, or continues to/cmploy any person subject to this Act, who is a deserter or improperly absent from his duty, knowing him to lie a deserter or so improperly ab- ■ ent, he shall for every such offence of assistance, procurement, concealment,' employment, or continuance of employment, bo liable oq summary conviction thereof before a Justice or Justices or before any person or persons or Court of like authority in any part of his Majesty’s dominions, to a penalty not exceeding .£3O, and notwithstanding anything in any Act relating to municipal corporations or to the metropolitan police or any other Act, every such penalty'shall be applied as the Admiralty direct.

“Section 26.—1f any person not subject to this Act by words or otherwise persuade any person subject to this Act to desert or improperly absent himself from his duty, he shall for every such offence lie liable on summary conviction thereof before a Justice or Justices or before any person or persons or Court, exercising- like authority in any part of his. Majesty.’*.dominions, to a penalty not exceeding. ,£2O, and-' notwithstanding anything in : any Act relating to municipal corporations or to the metropolitan police or in any other Act. every such penalty shall be applied as the Admiralty direct.’-’ “1 recognise, of course,” continued the Attorney-General, “that the • people of New Zealand warmly appreciate the courtesy, consideration, and kindness which have been extended, to them by Captain Halsey and bis officers since the ship arrived in Now Zealand waters. I know that the people ardently wish to help them, and they can best help and best display loyalty to the King by assisting the captain to keep safely every, member of his crew while in this- country, and by making up their minds that when the ship takes her departure she will carry away with her every, man wlio came with her to New Zealand. I believe that this onlv .needs pointing out and-the citizens of New Zealand will at once understand what their duty is. It has beejj said to me that every man who leaves the ship lessens the might of the ship, and I have

been informed that in more than one ease men of some years’ standing have since their arrival in New ( Zealand risked their future prospects of promotion and pension by giving way. under the temptation to which they have been subjected. It 1 is a great pity that this should, be so.” The Minister added that proceedings woiild be commenced against persons who had pro-, cured or persuaded sailors to desert or improperly absent themselves from the New Zealand. The cases reported were being investigated, and -if the evidence justified prosecution, the necessary information would be laid at once.

ARRIVAL AT CHRISTCHURCH DELAYED. , CHRISTCHURCH, May 11. To-day at 1.15 p.m., H.M.S. Pyramus; now at Lyttojton, received the following wireless message from the New Zealand: •—“Please inform all concerned we shall probably not arrive in time to come up. the harbour to-morrow afternoon.” The harbour excursions to the Heads arranged for to-morrow morning are consequently postponed. .