ACTION CRITICISED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 December 1942, Page 2

ACTION CRITICISED

DIRECTION OF YOUTH INTO HOTEL WORK. MAGISTRATE’S COMMENT. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) DUNEDIN, December 18. Criticism of the action of the Dunedin manpower officer in directing a 17-year-old youth into employment as a porter in an hotel was expressed by Mr O. G. Stevens when appearing in the Magistrate's Court for a youth, suppression of whose name was ordered, and who was charged with having stolen two glasses. Accused, it was stated by the prosecution, had taken the glasses from the hotel where he worked and, after purchasing some liquor, had with a friend taken two girls to a private hotel, where they booked in for the . night under assumed names as married couples. It was only asking for trouble, counsel said, to employ lads of the age of accused in hotels, where it seemed they could purchase as much liquor as they liked. It was. moreover, (extraordinary that two youths who were little more than boys should be able to book in at a private hotel art accused and his companion had done. It was a discreditable thing that the manpower officer should allow a boy to be employed in an hotel. . It was possible, the magistrate. Mr H. W. Bundle, observed, that the manpower officer had not been in full possession’, of the facts. “I express the definite opinion, however,” his Worship added, “that boys of this age should not be employed as porters in hotels and I desire that the probation officer should discuss the matter with the manpower officer.” Accused was placed on probation for 12 months.