THEFT OF ARMY PETROL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 3 September 1942, Page 2

THEFT OF ARMY PETROL

“NO TRIVIAL MATTER,” SAYS COLONEL STRONG EXCEPTION TAKEN TO REMARKS IN COURT Dunedin, This Day. Strong exception was taken by Col. Jeffery, Area Commander, to-day to remarks made in the Police Court by counsel for a soldier charged with stealing petrol from Army cycles in camp. Counsel had suggested that the charge was trivial and that if accused had held a higher rank than private the matter would have been dealt with by the military authorities. Col. Jeffery said there was nothing trivial abou tit. The petrol was syphoned from machines of a flying patrol which had to be ready at a moment's notice for any emergency. On actual war conditions the offence would rank as sabotage. As to the second suggestion by counsel an Army order had been issued that all charges of theft in camps must be dealt with by civil courts, irrespective of the rank of the offender. Counsel had also referred to rumours of wastage of petrol in camps. “Considering the immensity of the job the Army is doing.” said Col. Jeffery, “I am satisfied that the expenditure of petrol is far from excessive.”