INSTRUCTIONS FLOUTED

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 56, 14 March 1944, Page 5

INSTRUCTIONS FLOUTED

MANPOWER COMMITTEE ACTS MA OK IS PRO'S ECUTEiD That young Maori gil'lls and youths were "wanderings the streets" and causing concern to the Arawa Tribal Executive - the Maori War effort organisation was an opinion voiced by the District Manpower Officer Mr J. McGlone, to Mr S. L. Paterson, S.M., in the Rotorua Magistrate's! Court last week when several cases in respect to natives refusing to go to work when: instructed were dealt with. The Bench gave each offender a further option to obey the order issued or accept the alternative — sentence to imprisonment. Only one Maori chose the latter course and he was duly warned that, after serving the term, if lie refused to comply with the instruction to help in essential work, he would again appear before the Court and be dealt with according to the circumstances. Gil'ls Face Magistrate Wiha Curtis, a Maori girl, was lirst called for refusing to obey an instruction from the Manpower Oll'iccr to report for work with the State Forest Service oil February 21. She pleaded guilty. Mr McGlone said, that every effort had been made to get defendant into essential work without the necessity of prosecution but, although she had given promises, she had not. taken any notice of. warnings .given personally. Pointing out that there were other cases of similar nature to follow the District Manpower Officer said that the Arawa Tribal Executive had fully considered each case on its. merits and had subsequently urged that action be. taken.

"These young girls are roaming the streets of Rotorua mostly in the company of American Servicemen and don't want to work," he said. "They have been, directed to essential work and their refusal to obey is setting a bad example to others —Maori and pakeha alike." Ellen Te Kiri and Cora Low, both young Maori girls, were similarly charged, and the Bench convictcd and ordered each to come up for sentence if called upon Avitliin six months. Each of the girls were told to report for work immediately and continue to carry on diligently, otherwise, they would again be brought before the Court and sentenced to prison. Young Men Leave Employment It was Sydney Moke who, charged with leaving his place of employment. without permission, elected to go to prison instead of going back to Avork. Evidence was tendered to show that he had been employed at Waiotapu making mine props.

".And .when you come out," added the Bench after imposing sentence, "you will get another instruction to return to work. If you don't obey it you will go back to prison for a longer term. If you don't want to work outside you'll work inside."

Isaac Matenga, who had been employed at Kaingaroa lip to August. 15 on compensation and had not returned to -work was next on the list and, was sentenced to M days goal. His excuse had been that lie was too l'ar away from his lioine and wanted a transfer nearer to his camp.

.Rotalii Mohaia, who had previously served 1-1 days' imprisonment for absenteism, pleaded, guilty to leaving his employment with N.Z. Forests Products without permission but told the Magistrate he Avould now go back to work. He was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence if called upon within six months. John Te Aonui, similarly charged also said that lie would go back to work with the State Forest and was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence within six months if called upon. Bert Witariana, who left his employment but went back when warned was convicted and. ordered to pay costs.