DESERTIONS FROM THE NEW ZEALAND

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 3829, 12 May 1913, Page 6

DESERTIONS FROM THE NEW ZEALAND

STATEMENT BY ATTORNEYGENERAL. SOME MEN BEING ENTICED TO STAY ASHORE. PROSECUTIONS NOT UNLIKELY. ‘RREBS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM] AUCKLAND, May 11. Ten men were missing from H.M.S. 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 returned to. duty. It is also reported that several men deserted from the ship at Wellington. An important statement, on the subject was made to a reporter to-day by the Minister for Justice (Hon. A. L. Herd man). He said’ it had been brought to his notice that in one respect Those responsible for the battlecruiser 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 his possession made n clear that there is little doubt that men from the cruiser are frequently enticed to- desert from service by some employers of labor under promise of high wages and “liberty.” The men, when on shore, are given plain clothes to enable them to desert. Mr Herdman stated: “I know of one specific instance of two men who, having been persuaded to desert more or 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 his. officers, whose duty it is to keep the ship fully manned. “It is, perhaps, not 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 bad better quote sections of the Imperial Statute in force in New Zealand. The Naval Discipline Act, IS6G, which deals with eases of interference with men who are serving His Majesty the King, reads as follows:

“Section 2d.—lf any person not subject to this Act assists or procures any person subject to this act to desert or improperly absent himself from his duty, or conceals, employs, or continues to employ any person subject to this Act who is a deserter or improperly absent from his duty, knowing him to be. a deserter, and so improperly absent, shall for every such offence of assistance, procurement, concealment, employment, or continuance of employment be 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’s dominions a penalty not exceeding thirty pounds 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 Admiraltv direct.

“Section 2G.—lf 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, be 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’s dominions to a. penalty not exceeding twenty pounds-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 tiie Admiralty direct.

“I recognise, of course,” continued the Attorney-General, “that the people of New Zealand warmly appreciate the courtesy, consideration and kindness which has been extended to them by Captain Halsey and his officers since the ship arrived in New Zealand waters. 1 know that pooplo ardently wish to help) them. They can best- help and best display loyalty to the King by assisting the Captain to keep safely every member of his crew whilst in this country and by making up their minds that when the ship takes her departure she wilL cany with her every man who came with her to New Zealand. I believe that this only needs pointing out and •the citizens of New Zealand will at once understand what their duty is. It has been 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 case men of some years’ standing have, since arrival in New Zealand, risked their future prospects of promotion and pension by giving way under temptation, to which they have been subjected. It is a great pity that this should be so.”

The Minister added that proceedings would be commenced against persons who had; procured or persuaded sailors to desert or improperly absent themselves from the New Zealand. The cases reported were being investigated and if the evidence justified prosecutions the necessary information. would be laid at once.