THE "MAORI PROPHET"

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2794, 12 June 1916, Page 7

THE "MAORI PROPHET"

/ ' SEDITION AND. OTHER CHANGES,

By Telegraph—I 1 ,-ess Associafioi'

Auckland, June 9. In the Supreme Court, bi'oreMr. Justice Chapman, Kua was charged with having on or about February 12; at Wairiti, made a: seditious statement, and on seven further counts with having obstructed the police, counselled his ■ followers . to murder certain members of the . police force, and to discharge firearms and resist and obstruct the police in the execution of their duty. Five of Rua's followers are awaiting trial. The Hon. J. A. Tole conducted the prosecution, and Mr. J. R. Lundon defended.

The seditious words which Rua is alleged to have uttered in the presence of several - Maoris and . certain constables are: "I have 140 men here. I am not going to let any of them enlist, or go to war. You have no King now. The King in England is no-good. He is beaten. The Germans' win. The English are, no good. They have two laws—one for the Maori, one for the pakelia. When the Germans are in,"l am-going to be king here. I will be king of tho pakeha and king of the Maori. I won't go to Dyer's court. If Dyer wants a court, let him come to Maungapohatu to hold court. I am too big a fellow to go down to the court" (or words to the like effect). Rua pleaded not guilty.

June 11. The case was continued yesterday, when several constables gave evidence and were cross-examined at length. The trial will-evidently be a long one.