AN UNUSUAL REQUEST

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 19 September 1907, Page 2

AN UNUSUAL REQUEST

Per Press Association. , Dunedin, Last Night. At the conclusion of business at the Police Court to-day, Mr. Belcher, secretary of the Federated Seamen's Union, asked the Magistrate (Mr. C. C. Graham) if he would sign a warrant for the arrest of the master of a ste&mship who, there was good reason to believe, had committed breaches of the Shipping Act during the time the vessel had been away from the colony, the object being to ascertain whether the master of the ship could be summarily arrested for a breach of the law, &b was the caso with Beamen. Mr. Belcher said it was stated that the men had been worked in capacities other than those for which tney signed on. The ship was leaving Dunedin for Sydney that day, and there was every possibility of the master being relieved of his appointment during his aosence from New Zealand. The Magistrate said he had no doubt the captain could be arrested in the same way as seamen, but it was a matter for the discretion of the Magistrate, In the case of seamen, there was the possibility of their deserting, but he did not think that there was a chance of a captain clearing out. He could not be expected to atop his ship on a charge of this kind, and the application must be declined. Mr. Belcher: Very well; I will proceed by summons if you decline to issue a warrant. The Magistrate: Very well.