WATERSIDE THEFTS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 149, 19 March 1921, Page 12

WATERSIDE THEFTS

MAGISTRATE SPEAKS OUT “THE UNION MUST TAKE ACTION ” YOUTHFUL THIEF ADMITTED TO PROBATION

"This will give the Waterside Union a chance to purge their union, of thieves, and to make full inquiries as to who participated in the thefts on the Northumberland. If they do so, they will gain the thanks of the community. It is an opportunity for them to show that they have other interests besides time and wages.”

This statement was made by Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., when passing sentence in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday on a youth, a waterside!, who had pleaded guilty to the theft of goods from the Northumberland. “No cue," ho added, "would be more pleased than myself if half-a-dozen or so were found out and brought before me." His Worship, 'in admitting the hid to probation for two years, said: “Some months ago I admitted a similar case to probation. I have done my best to be consistent in giving- fines and sentences. .... I propose to place this boy on probation. He has not committed perjury, but has told the truth, and hidden nothing. Ho goes on to the wharf for a fewmonths, and then becomes a thief. I tun forced to the conclusion that this lx>y has been a catspaw to men many years his senior. I will put him on probation for two years, but this is not a precedent, let that be understood. I do not intend to allow the probationer to work on the wharf. I have on previous occasions sai-d that working on the wharf was bad for young men; not oo much on account of the work and environment, but on account of the hanging round and waiting for work. This breaks the continuity of labour, and youth, especially, must have continuity. . . . Detective Ward has said that when approached by the police regarding the thefts, the shipping agent said there was not, in his opinion, sufficient evidence to warrant prosecutions. Well, in my opinion, when such thefts occur, the agents should be the first to investigate, and report to the police; -.and let the police be the judges whether there is evidence or not." "The Waterside Workers’ Union must take action," concluded Mr. Hunt. "The circumstances of this case ore exceptional, otherwise I would not have granted probation. The lad would not tell the names of other thieves, and I am, as I said, convinced that he was forced into thieving with the rest.”