Deportation Order Refused

Chronicle (Levin), 26 July 1949, Page 6

Deportation Order Refused

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WELLINGTON, ^July 2o. A Gilbertian situation had Leen created by the application oi the Collector of Customs (Mr. H. Thomas) toi tlie deportation of three Norwegian cngineers, said Mr. A. A. McLachlan, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court toda\ when the three men, Kourad Busk, aged 33, Finn Karlsen, aged 27, and Ivor Tosse, aged 25, appeared befon-.i liim. Convicting and diseharging the men for entering the country illegally,' Mr. McLachlan said lie could not imaglue anyone, who was really interested in* New Zealand, wanting to deport thein.'' While oue Government departinent souglit to retain :their services, another sought to h&ve thein deported, said Mr. McLachlan. Mr. Thomas described liow Karlsen and Tosse had arrived in New Zealand uiembers of tlift creu* of a visiting sliip. As thcy had not wailed with their sliip and had 110 permits to land a oliarge had boen brought against . tliem lo liave thein deported. Tliey were sentenced to six months' imprisonment pending [depor'taUon, but were released in Docember to enable them to liave an opportunity to apply for perniission tp ;; rem'ain in New Zeajand. When per mission was declined, - said Mr. Thomas, tlie case was heard again in January together with the case of Busk, who had iandod illegally in Xoveinber and who had also been refused pcrmission lo remain. The case was adjourued for six months pending deportation, the three men being released 011 bail. No individual had any autliority to cffect tlie deportation of Ihe three men, said Mr. Thomas, and for that reason liis departmcnt was asking tlie Court to give an order for their deportation, the men being released subject to tlie same conditions 011 which they had been freed formerly. Counsel for the accused said all three were Hue types. They were skilled cngineers working at the State hydroelectric works at Lalco Tekapo, and it' would be an ill thing for Now Zealaud if they were deported. Counsel read a letter from the sonioi electrical engineer at Lake Tekapo stating that it was diffieult to attract skilled tradesmen to a backblocks job, and he was very desirous of retaining tbeir services.