STAND MAINTAINED

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 2, 27 August 1943, Page 5

STAND MAINTAINED

DRIVERS LICENSES FOR DETAINEES COUNTY COUNCIL ADAMANT In spite of a pointed l letter from the Director of National Service urging the council to reconsider its previous decision not to issue motor drivers licenses to conscientious detainees now stationed at Galatea, the Whakatane County Council last Tuesday decided unanimously to adhere to its previous decision. Ihe letter followed the receipt of a brief communication from the Maori Tribal Committee at Murupara, Galatea in answer to the council's enquiry as to whether the native workers on the Estate were consulted., as alleged by the National Service Department, before they \\ere- transferred to the Forestry to make way for the men from Strathmore. In this respect the council at its last meeting expressed a desire to know the truth of the matter in the face of the flock of rumours which were current regarding the whole affair. The answer was brief and, to the point, ft read:— "In an9fwer to your letter asking my committee if prior approval was given to the transfers of the Maori men from Galatea to the State Forest. The answer to this is—No! This is all. I thank you'. Tribal Committee, Hon. Secretary. (Sgd.) Jim Turanga. In view of official allegations to the contrary the letter did not serve to improve matters though the subject was but briefly referred to at Tuesday's meeting. Letter The letter from Mr J. S. Hunter (Director of National Service) stated that he- had been informed by the Controlling Officer of Detention, that 4he council had refused an application by his department for the issue of drivers' licenses to inmates who are being employed under supervision on the Galatea block. "I regret I am at a loss to understand. the reason for this refusal, and would appreciate further information indicating the reason for your council's action in this matter, and the. authority under the Regulations under which these licenses have been refused on the department's application ran the letter. I have no evidence that the men on whose behalf the: licenses were, applied for, are disqualified Irom holding drivers' licenses., otherwise the department would not have made the application. Abuse Denied rain informed that statements are being circulated within your county at the present time to the effect that those licenses, in so far as they involve the use of Government transport, arc being abused, and,. that the inmates holding them have, been left free to wander at will. I now desire officially to deny the truth of such .statements and have no hesitation in declaring them utterly false in every respect. Inmates in the Detention Camps at Whenuaroa and Galatea, are under close restraint under the National Service Emergency Regulations and arc required, to undertake essential work on the Lands Department block in those areas. The drivers are skilled men with goodconduct rccords, handling tractors and vehicles on the. blocks under the supervision of Patrolmen and Overseers. They are never permit-' ted to traverse public roads except when accompanied by an officer. It is obviously both uneconomical and undesirable from this department's point of view, to employ lieavy-vehicle drivers at the expense of the Public Account, even if such drivers were available while an ample supply of skilled inmate labour is available for the purpose at little cost. I\ would state that the effect of the refusal of these licenses is not to penalise the inmates, if that if the objpet. of your council, but merely to hinder the department in its employment of the defaulters in essential development work, and in preparing the land for returned ex-servicemen and others. No Indulgence Extended The department requires the facility of the. licenses for the continued employment of these defaulters as indicated. Your council' would have been apprised of these facts if reference had been made to the department's officer in charge of the camps in the district, who himself is a returned soldier from this war,

and has associated Avitli him a staff chielly comprised of ex-servicemen, none of Avhoin Avould be likely to extend any indulgence to military defaulters, even if they had the pcimission of the department to do so. As your council's decision is likely to have a serious, effect on the progress of the Avork at Stratlimore, I would be pleased to Ikiac your reply giA'ing the necessary information at the. earliest possible moment. No Change of Opinion "We 11,," said the chairman (Mr J. L. Burnett) "the committee has discussed this letter A*ery fully and at some length and Ave could see no reason Avliy the council should change its. opinion." Cr Cawte added that, the Maoris had held a large and representative meeting at Galatea and liad discussed the whole matter fully. There was no doubt but that the publicity given the Avliole. question had done much good for the men Avere now under much stricter .supervision and had, not been seen driving round the district without an escort since. The council decided to maintain its attitude, with regard to the issuing of the drivers licenses, and the matter Avas dropped. Letters from several R.S.A. organisations. commending the council on its attitude were also received. Ji