RELEASE FROM GAOL

Hokitika Guardian, 26 July 1933, Page 2

RELEASE FROM GAOL

EX-DOMIXIOX SECRETARY’S SOX

BAIL FOR SELF AND WIFE

After spending three days in prison, M,r and Mrs John Amery—son and daughter-in. law of Mr L. S. Amery, •M.P., former Dominions Secretary—weue released on bail in Paris a few weeks ag°.

The couple had been arrested 'following ,a<n 'application 'by th e Greek authovitie 6 for their extradition. A complaint was made by a jeweller in Greece 'Concerning a cheque alleged to have been given in payment for jewellery. Brief official proceedings followed the arrest, and then Mr John Amery was taken to the Sante prison, while his wife was sent to the Petite Roquptte. the women’s place of detention. When they appeared subsequently before the Paris Extradition Court they 'were granted bail lof 10,000 francs (about. £3O). Mr Joh, n Amery’s mother was preKent in the Extradition Court. On entering she kissed her son, and after giving a friendly smile to her daughter in-law, chatted with them both for a few minutes. John, who was handcuffed, had net shaved fo r a few days, and, as men are not allowed to we°r a collar and tie in French prisons, lie had turned up the collar of his coat. The Public Prosecutor announced that he had received from Athens the documents relating to the charge, but. as they were not in the form required by the extradition convention between France and Greece, they would have to be returned.

Thc scouple were defended by counsel, who pleaded that they were not common criminals, and that the despatch of the extradition mandate must have been the consequence of a misunderstanding.

Ur Amery’s father had visited Paris the. previous day and had long convcrations both at the, Greek Legation and the British Embassy. It is understood fth.it lie was assured that the Greek authorities .would raise no objection if the Paris Court decided to release bus son. Mr Amery also visited h:s son in the Santo prison. > Subsequently he returned to England, while his wife •remained in Paris.

Mr and Mrs John Amery were to remains in Paris pending the arrival of 'tire documents if Korn Greece. 'lt bras hoped, however, that a friendly settlement of the matter would be reached.

Dr Teichelmann referred to the tourist traffic of the district and askthat everything might be done in conin conjunction with the railways to assist in encouraging tourist traffic to the district. Regarding the point raised by Mr Wild in respect to the proposed road to Kumara Junction, he thought the road would be a great convenience and would assist in bring, ing additional traffic to tliie part of the district.

Mr Sterling in the course of an exhaustive reply to the various matters brought before him, stated he appreciated greatly the kind welcome. He had been into South Westland for the purpose of seeing the district and its potentialities. He was greatly struck by the scenic beauty along the road, and he considered the natural features constituted a tourist’s paradise, and there was no doubt it would be an attracion for people from all over the world. The railway policy was to endeavour to encourage people to see New Zealand. They had promoted various tours and special trips, and the peopl© were now making good use of the railways in seeing something of their own country. The desire was to induce the people to leave the cities more and admire the country districts. This policy was meeting with a good deal of support, and he hoped it would he possible to extend the tours so as to embrace the Westland scenic attractions and secure a greater number of visitors, Regarding the request for an extension of the railway south, he did not think it would be a remunerative passenger rt>ut«< Tourists would still prefer to travel by the road and he thought the road should he further improved for the convenience of that traffic. Regarding the timber transport, it would no doubt be of considerable volume, but he did not think at first glance it would be a profitable trade in relation to the heavy cost of the additional railway required. What he thought best to meet the position, would be a well consructcd bush tran-.way. There were facilities under the laws of New Zealand for this to be done, and as far as the department was concerned, rolling stock would be available if the engineer were,, satisfied the construction of the line was satisfactory. He thought, therefore, that they should work along •those lines ,' to , - facilitate the V-trans-port. of ' timber. , • . . ;

: With' regard to the railway freight for timber'between Hokitika'and Grey 'nioutli, the 'rate was less than one penny; per ton a mile, and he did not think they could go below that amount, which'was less than half the Average charge of - ; freight throughout New Zealand. ■He would look into r tile mileage * .distance, but otherwise : die could not offer to meet their suggestion, neither could he reduce the freight for, transport of butter which was a high class commodity requiring special conveying and prompt delivery, and he, thought they were giving the industry good services at a reasonable price,

With regard to the railway sidings, hq explained that recently, a circular had been issued removing the embargo on the constructed sidings which now revert under certain conditions, to the owner who had paid originally for the construction. The sidings- were a convenience and a saving to the millers, and as the price had not been altered over a number of years, nor had it been increased in better times, lie could not on the face of it see his way to grant any reduction at present. He explained the differentiation between town sidings and the country sidings, and those situated between route stations.

Regarding the tourist traffic, the department had been doing its best to encourage this kind of traffic, and the Westland attractions would be kept to the fore. In this connection lie also referred to the proposed road to be constructed beside the railway ip. respect to which , lie intended to have .something to gay at headquarters. . There was no doubt that when the road was constructed it would interfere with passenger and parcel traffic by the line, and might result in reducing railway service to a second grade one. At the same time, the line was built and maintained for heavy traffic, but it would probably not be advisable to discontinue passenger traffic as was being done in other places where there was a considerable saving 'in the maintenance for passenger traffic as against actual revenue from passengers. He asked the meeting to consider the waste that would probably arise through various transport, services working in opposition to the Railway Department. It would, be an economic advantage to the country in the end not to allow the clash to take place.

Mr Sterling concluded by expressing bis pleasure at being in the district and meeting the people and hearing something of theii’ requirements. What lie had said was a general survey of the position and he would be glad to give the fullest consideration to their wishes. He was pleased to learn from Mr Murdoch’s remarks that the work of the staff of the district was appreciated. The Railway Department was there in the service of the people, and ft was for the emnloyees to do their best to meet local demands, and be was glad to know that that was being done.

The Mavor convoyed the thanks of the meeting for Mr Sterling’s very full address and for its interesting and instructive nature, and while lie did not see bis way immediately to grant all their requests, be hoped that matters would bo kept prom iron tdv before Mr Sterling, and that when opportunity came to grant some relief, lie would do so. A vote of thanks to Mr Sterling ar.d the then carried by