WARSHIP DESERTERS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1748, 13 May 1913, Page 3

WARSHIP DESERTERS.

MEN MISSING FROM BATTLECRUISER. PENALTIES FOR ABETTING. (Br Toloffraph.—Press Aeaoolatlon.l Auckland, May 11. Ton men were missiuff from the battlecruiser New Zealand when she left Auckland on Saturday morning. Of threo others who had improperly absented thorn selves from the ship during her stay at Auckland, oi» was arrested and theothir two 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 (the lion. A. L. Ilerdmau). lie said it had been brought to his notice that in 0110 respect those responsible for the battle-cruiser New Zealand and ship's company were not receiving fair treatment at the hands of a few thoughtless people in the community. Information in his possession made it clear that there is little doubt that men from the cruiser are frequently enticed to desert from service by some employers of labour under promise of high wages. "Liberty-men when on shore are given plain clothes to enable them to desert," Mr. Hcrdman 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. Xo doubt this has been done in a spirit of kindness, but it is grossly unfair to Captain Halsey and his oliieers, whose duty it is to keep the ship fully manned. "It is perhaps not well known that persons 'who assist or persuado men to desert from a ship of war are liable to be prosecuted," the Minister continued. "For the information of the public I had better quote the sections of the Imnerial_ Statute in force in New Zealand. The Naval Discipline Act, ISGG, which deals with cases of interference with men who are serving his Majesty tho King, contains the following:— "'Section 23: If any person not subjcct to this Act assists or procures any person subject to this Act to desert or improperly absent himself from his duty, or conceals, cmplo.vs, or continues to employ any person subject to this Act who is a deserter or improperly absent from his duty, knowing hiin to be a deserter or so improperly absent, he shall for every such offence of assistance, procurement, concealment, employment, or continuance of employment, be liable on nummary conviction thereof before a Justice or Justices. or before any person or persons or Court pxorc'SMis like authority in any part of his Majesty's Dominions to a penalty not exceding thirty pounds, and, notwithstanding anything in any Act relating to municipal corporations or to the metropolitan polioss or any other Act, every such penalty shall be applied as the Admiralty direct.' " 'Section 2G. —If any person' not subject to this Act, by words or otherwise, persuado 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 notwithstand- ■ !i'; m any Act relating to municipal corporations or to the metropolitan police, or in any other Act, every such penalty shall bo applied as the Admiralty direct.'

"I recognise, of course," continued the Attorney-General, "that the peoplo of New Zealand warmly appreciate the courtesy, consideration, and kindness which lias been extended to them by Captain Halsey and his officers since the ship arrived in' New Zealand waters, and I linow tlrnl: tlxo pt'opia ardently wish to help tlieni. They can best help and best display their loyalty to the King by assisting Captain Halsey to keep safely every menili.u of his crew whilst in this country, and by making- tip their minds that when the ship takes her departure she will carry 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 dnty is. It has been said 4o me that every man who leaves the ship lessens the might of the ship, and 1 have been informed that in moro than onu case men of some years' standinpf have since arrival in New Zealand, risked their future prospects of promotion and pension by giving way under tho 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 rep-orb d were being investigated, and if evidence justified prosecutions,! the necessary informations would be'laid at once.