WILL SPAIN BECOME AXIS WAR PARTNER?

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 223, 19 September 1940, Page 8

WILL SPAIN BECOME AXIS WAR PARTNER?

ENVOY'S COMMENT.

"Is Only Momentarily Non-Belligerent."

United Press Association.—Copyright. (Reed. 1 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 18. "The Times" correspondent on the German frontier says Senor Suner, leader of the Spanish mission to Berlin, interviewed after his talks with Hitler and Kibbentrop, declared: "Spain is only momentarily non-belligerent. General Franco had personally decided when Spain would abandon aloofness."

Germany is making much of Senor Snner's visit, which, it is declared, coincides with Germany's final settlement with Britain.

The "Voelkischer Beobaehter" stated that Spain had taken up a position leaving no doubt of her foreign ainm.

Britain and Spain have reached an agreement under which Spain will limit her oil imports to a quantity sufficient for domestic consumption. The agreement is regarded as highly satisfactory.

FOR TRIAL.

WOMAN CLERK'S PLEA.

ALLEGED THEFT OF £1296

On three cliarpes of theft allegedly involving a total of £1200, Phyllis Olive Barnett, aged 31, appeared in the Police Court before Mr. C. R. Orr Walker S.M., to-day. She was sent to the Supreme Court for trial on change of plea.

Accused' was charged that, being a clerk in the employ of Robert Urquhart, on April 26 she did steal £996; the sum of £80 on June 24, and on "June 28 with theft of the eum of £220 11/8. Detective-Sergeant J. Walsh prosecuted. Mr. Beckerleg represented the accused. "Things Were Wrong." Robert Urquhart, barrister and solicitor, of Auckland, said he employed the accused as a clerk from June 1, 1937, until July 3, 1940. She was the only clerk in the office, and her salary was £2 per week, j Accused kept the books, issued receipts and banked money on hie behalf. From April 1 Jast accused was entrusted with the keeping of his trust accounts under witness' supervision. "As the result of information received from the Bank of New Zealand, I went to the bank and made inquiries," continued Mr. Urquhart, "and as a result of what I wae told I returned to my office and accused her of falsifying the books. Accused said that things were wrong, but that she was trying to put them fight." - - , .. -■•*>,«- Witness said the total amount of the defalcations from his trust account was £1296' 11/8. Of this amount accused had paid back £150, leaving a deficiency of £1146 11/8. Accused, he added, had no authority to operate on his trust account as she had done. Statement Handed To Police. / Detective W.'H. Slater went into the witness box after two bank officiate had given evidence. Witness eaid that in company with Detective Lane he interviewed the accused at her home on September 12, when she said she would consult her solicitor. Later, at the request of her solicitor, witness went to the solicitor's office, where a statement made by accused was handed to him. Thie he produced. In the statement, which was voluntarily made, accused said she received and banked moneys in respect of Mr. Urquhart'e trust account and made the necessary entries in hi» books "of account. Accused expre.fied her deeire to assist .the police in clearing up all the matters involved. She admitted having received cheques for 180, £996, and £220 11/8, with instructions to bank them in her employer's trust account, but instead she lodged them in her own account at another bank. With the exception of the cheque for £80, accused admitted she had no authority to use cheques and moneys on her own- behalf, and added that she had endeavoured to repay the amounts so taken without authority. She was anxious to do all in her power both to this end and generally to help the police in clearing lip the matters.

"I am exceedingly sorry for what I have done, and in the spirit of this statement I have to eay itf is my intention to plead guilty," said accused in the statement. "It is' my deeire that the. police will call the fewest necessary witnesses." , Mr. Beckerleg (to Detective Slater^: Has the accused done everything she could to clear everything up?— She hae.

It wae not until this morning that the accused, after a consultation with me. decided to alter her plea to one of not guilty?— That fa eo.

Accused pleaded not guilty to the three charges and wae committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Bail, in two sureties each of £200, was renewed.