P. C. WEBB IN COURT

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3069, 3 May 1917, Page 6

P. C. WEBB IN COURT

ALLEGED SEDITIOUS ' UTTERANCES DETAILS OF THE CHARGES A REMAND-BAIL REFUSED By Telegraph.—Press Association. 1 Ohrlsichuriih, May : i. I'. C. Webb, M.l'., appeared beforo Mr. Bailey, S.M., this afternoon. Mr. .Raymond represented the Crown, and accused was not represented by counsel. The charges were: — (1) That on February 22, at Tay- ' lorv-ille, lie did publish the following seditious language: "Now that the Government are taking men by force (meaning thereby admi iiisreri.'ig the provisions ot tho Military (Service Act, 1916,.relative to compulsory military service), I say it is up to the men and women to rise and say to the Government, 'Vou will not take one man.' If we allow this Government to take men by force we are guilty ourselves of the crime committed by tho Government," which utteranoe was Beditious in that the publication, thereof had a tendency to interfere with the effective conduct of the military preparations of His Majesty and to encourage opposition io tho enforcement of the laws in force in New Zealand relative to compulsory military service, and to ' interfere with the proper and effectual administration of those laws. • , , (2) That on April 19, at Greymouth he published the following seditious utterance: —"Tho miner (meaning thereby certain coal miners then engaged in a strike) is fighting against conscription, and would go to gaol" rather than shirk what they feel to be their duty to the country. That is their-sentiment at tlie present time. They are not lighting for themselves alone: they are fighting for thousands of people who are not able to fight - for themselves (meaning thereby the men who objeot to compulsory mili- ' t-ary service under the Military Service Act, 1916), and when tho true history of the part played by the miners during this great struggle is written, I am certain of* this, that the jniner will stand' out in letters of gold as compared with any other section of the community." Both charges were laid under clause 10 of the War Begulations published 011 December 4, 1916. Accused pleaded not guilty to both charges. Mr. Raymond said accused' had only arrived from Wellington that morning, and ho applied for an adjournment at Christchurch next Friday, when witnesses who were on their way would be in Christchurch. With this case would be taken two others against two defendants who had been arrested on the West Coast and were on their way to Christchurch. Accused asked if tliero was any clianco of getting an adjournment to Wellington. "I would like," he said, "if possible _to be remanded to Wellington. It .'is my iutention to call a number of witnesses who will bo attending tho big miners' conference there, "and l I also desire to call several Ministers of the Crown, t and I think Wellington would be the most convenient place." Mr. Raymond opposed an adjournment to Wellington. - ■ The accused said it would be quito impossible for him to establish the evidence he hoped to bring unless an adjournment to Wellington was arranged. A large number of his witnesses would bo in. Wellington on May ! 10, and it would bo tho most convem--1 ent place, particularly as lib -wished to subpoena Ministers of the Crowp. Tho'Magistrate: A'further adjourn--1 ment Could bo given for that purpose ■ if you have not time botween now and i Friday to get'your witnesses. You can ! get an adjournment for that purpose.' Tho Crowi) does not want to hamper • you in any ivay in getting your wit-

Accused: "l am hot in the same position as the Crown in this respect. I will probably require a number of witnesses, and it will mpan a good deal of expense. I don't think it is' fair that I should bo called upon to call witnesses from the West Coast to Christchurch." ( ' The Magistrate: You would have to call them to Wellington.

Accused: Tlioy will probably bo in Wellington on that date. The Magistrates Don't they come ■ . this way ? ; ' Accused; They will probably go right ■ through. They have io be in Wellington on May 10. Some of them tvDI go by Nelson or Picton. The \Westport men will go by Picton. ' The Magistrate: They might, come this way. _ * Accused: It would he inconvenient for them. I would prefer to he tried in Greyiuouth,' and, if not in Greymouth, in Wellington, which is central and the place where both Ministers and men can give evidence. The Magistrate: If the men are to be in' Wellington on May 10 they could be here on May 9. There is a train from Greymoutli three days a. week. The Magistrate granted a remand until next Friday at Christclvurcli. If accused wanted a' further remand to get witnesses ho could ai>ply for it. Every facility would be given liirn to get witnesses. . _ Accused, in applying for bail, said he would have to work up his case and he would' be' in a difficult position unless lie' was admitted to bail. "I believe the function of the Court is to mete out justice. It is a question whether I can get the necessary information for. my defence, and I ask jou to consider tho question of bail favourably." Mr. Raymond: I oppose the'application for bail. This class of case is regarded as extremely gravo at this present time. ' Every possible facility will bo granted accused to prepare his defence. The Magistrate: T. have refused bail in all previous cases, md cannot make an exception in this case. TWO MORE ARRESTS SEQUEL TO THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Creymouth, May 2. P. O'Rorke and .Tames O'Brien weye arrested to-day at llimnnga. The arrest is believed to he in connection with' speeches mado during the municipal campaign, when both men spoke as members deputed to • place the coalminers' position in regard to the antiinilitarv service strike before tho Labour Party's meetings at Greymoutli. P. C. Webb, arrested in Wellington, addressed the same- meeting, y WEBB S ARREST CONSIDERED BY MINERS. fly Telegraph.' • P'es< .Uv.ici.ilion. 1 Creymouth,. May 2.> A meeting of State miners was bcld 1 to-night, when ilie matter of P. C. ■ Wehb and others' arrests was ennsid- ) oraL The men continue work as usual.. .. __ The True British Spirit, GUiBEY'S DRY GIN. Doctors recommend and Drink it. Beware o£ laUatipjya,