Drunkenness:

Of the minority of Pakehas arrested for drunkenness most were alcoholics who were unemployed and referred for medical treatment. On the other hand, the Maoris and other Polynesians charged with this "offence' were in most cases young, employed and first offenders.

• A Samoan was brought into the dock and charged with drunkenness. He had been in New Zealand a very short time and understood no English at all. When this became obvious, the magistrate explained the charge to the man—in English—and very kindly entered a Not Guilty plea on his behalf. The man just stood in the page 7 dock shuffling nervously and smiling vaguely. Although it is claimed that defended hearings do not take place on Saturday mornings, this one went ahead without any hesitation. The defendant had no lawyer (the duty solicitor scheme had not started at this time). The police called a constable to give evidence against he the man, which he did—in English. The magistrate then explained to the man—in English—that he could now cross examine the police witness. The man still stood there, saying and comprehending nothing. The magistrate then saw that there was no defence, found the charge proved and convicted and fined the man. The man left the dock having understood nothing (except perhaps, that justice is only available in Auckland to those who are white and speak English).

This report has been compiled by members of the Auckland Committee on Racism and Discrimination (ACORD) and was written by R.A. Galbreath and O.R.W. Sutherland. P.O. Box 47155, Ponsonby