Pacifist Charged With Obstructing Police

Chronicle (Levin), 6 August 1949, Page 3

Pacifist Charged With Obstructing Police

NELSON, August 5. > A prosecution arising from the.reeent . Friday night street meetings at the Ghureh steps was brought before Mr. Thompson, S.M., in the Nelson Magis-: trate 's Court when Arehibald Oharles Barrington, aged 43, was charged' with wilfully obstructing the police in the execution of. their duty on July 29, Sergeant E. Simpson deseribed the happemngs at the first meeting held. by tbe. Christian Pacifists on JuIy 15 when eggs and bad fruit were thrown at the speakers. One speaker was forcefully taken away on a lorry and his trousers and one shoe were removed, while two other speakers were taken into a publie convenienee nearby. Only police intervention prevented persondl violence to the pacifists. On the following Friday evening the pacifists held another meeting when the erowd elosed in on defendant and other members of the Pacifist Society who were taken into protective custody, o^herwise they might have been seriously injured. Corroborative evidenee about the street meetings was given by Senior Sergeant Knight. On Friday July 22 the meeting had caused a breach of the peace almost to the extent of a riot. On July 29, fearing a repetition of the previous Friday, the police on duty were supplemented. He informed defendant that he would have to stop speaking and defendant replied that he could not do it. He was informed that if he did not do so he would be taken into enstody. Defendant continued speaking and was arrested. Defendant said there was no evi-. dence that the police carried out their part in, a way which would have at least minimised the disturbance. As for the meeting on July 29, there had, been no untoward incidents, no rush on the speaker, and no organised pandemonium, bnt only interjeetions. The Magistrate said it seemed the police were justified in expecting a breaeh of the peace, and that being so it was their duty to stop the meeting. He would therefore convict Barrington and order him to pay Court costs, ten shillings.