STREET DISORDERS IN MELBOURNE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 18, 16 October 1917, Page 5

STREET DISORDERS IN MELBOURNE

DEALING WITH THE PANKHURST NUISANCE

SALUTARY PUNISHMENT

Salutary punishment (says ihe MolIjounie 'Argus") was meted out by Air. ore ' P - M - nt tho*llelbourne City Court to the ringleaders cf turbulent women who have been responsible tor tho recent 'Msgraceful scenes in tho cjty streets. Adela Pankliurst, Jenny Bainee, anil Alice Suter were charged, under the War Precautious Act, Willi having taken part in a meeting of a, number of persons exceeding 20 lit the Treasury Gardens, which is a prohibited area, oil tho pretext of airing their grievances." Mr. H. C. 1). Macindoe (instructed by tho Commonwealth Crown Solicitor,) conducted the caso lor the prosecution. Tho case against Pankhurst was that on August 30 accused commenccd to address a crowd of about 5000 in the Treasury Gardens, it being alleged by . Senior Constable Porter and Constables Hanlon aud Goddard that the accused used the following words: —

"Mon and women, follow me. We will defy tho police, break into Parliament House, if necessary, and 6eo Billy Hughes to know what he will do to give food for tho starving children." Mr. Macindoe asked that if accused wero convicted she should not only be sentenced, but be bound down to a recognisance, with substantial surety,- to comply with the regulations of the War Precautions Act. on oath, said that sho was the only person at the meeting who had ' a grievance," the others being there out of curiosity, and she contended that, on that ground alone, tho case should be dismissed. Her second point was that the regulation under which She • was charged was ultra vires, jus the Federal Parliament had no power under its constitution to make such a regulation. Mr. Macindoe: It is under the defence power. Accused: Can you produce it? Mr. Macindoe: I don't intend to do so. After accused had admitted having been fined 40s. for street obstruction on Auugst IG, and having subsequently been sentenced to one month's imprisonment for. offensive'behaviour, Mr. Moore addressed her as follows: —"You appear to have set out, for somo reason known only to yourself, to defy tho law, regardless of consequences. No person tan do that. Here in this country every person has the same chance fo make the laws—you and I alike—and if wc do not obey them, we must be punished. Tou will be sentenced to three months' imprisonment, and you will be required to outer into a recognisance of JilOO that you will comply with the regulation under which you are now charged. I' don't propose to ask for a surety." Mr. Macindoe: That is just what we want. Sho is after notoriety Mr. Moore: If she insists on being sent to gaol she will he sentenced to a term that will keep her'quiet for sonio time.

Accused asked that she should he granted facilities for preparing an appeal against tho decision of tho Cburt. She said she could not do that in gaol. Mr. Moore: You havo provoked the authorities so much that you cannot expect any consideration now. Accused: I'm not asking for consideration. I'm asking for justice. Mr. Moore: You can make an appeal the same as you have already dono in another case, and if you can got someone to go surety for you Mr. Maclndoe: What ahout the recognisance? Accused: I refuse to do that. Mr. Moore: Thai; means that you will be sent to gaol for six months. Jsext ease. Tho case against Siiter. a, woman 21 years of age, was taken next. The evidence showed that at tho same -meeting, after Panklrarst had spoken, tho accused endeavoured to address those present, but sho had only said a. few words. When asked if she would outer into a recognisanco not to offend against tho regulation, accused said that she had dono nothing, and'would enter into no bond as to her future behaviour. She persisted in this answer when the question was repeated two or three times, and in order to give her time to consider hor position tho Court adjourned for lunch. On the Court resuming. Mr. lloore again asked the accused, "Are you willing to enter into a recognisance?" Accuscd: I have done no wrong. Mr. Moore: That question does not rise. I am asking you whether you will promise not to ofl'eml against tho regulation. Accused . (determinedly): I will enter into no bond. Mr. Moore: Then you will go to gaol for six months. After the accused had been removed Mr. Moors "had her brought back, and addressed her as follows:—"I had intended to inflict no punishment upon you for the ofl'cuce with which you aro charged, but. as you have adopted this attitude, and havo made up your mind that you will defy the law, yoii will be sentenced to two months' imprisonment." Jenny Baines, 50 years of age. who was similarly charged, pleaded not guilty. The case against her was that when PankhuTst was addressing tho crowd sho got up beside her on a seat in the gardens and applauded with her hands the speaker's words. ■ Accused admitted that she was a supporter of Pankhurst, and that they had gone to .the Treasury Gardens to protest against tile liiglj cost of living, but denied having applauded w.ilh her hands. Mr. Moore: You are older than the other defendanfs, and you will be senienced to three months' imprisonment. As accused refused to enter inlo a recognisance in regard to her future con-I duct, she was also sentenced to six months' imprisonment. In each of these cases the accused were ordered to pay J!5 7s. fid. co^s.