WALSH, NEE PANKHURST

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 24, 23 October 1917, Page 8

WALSH, NEE PANKHURST

CONVICTIONS QUASHED. Melbourne, October 2.

The High Court to-day quashed the recent couviction of Adela Pankhurst (now Sirs. Walsh), Alice Suter, and Jennie Haines tor (as published in The Dominion a few days ago), participating in a demonstration within tho prohibited area in the vicinity of Federal Parliament Buildings.

The three women* had been charged under the War Precautions Regulations, the two first-named being sentenced to three months, and the latter to two months', imprisonment. As they afterwards refused to enter into a bond to bo of good behaviour, an additional term of six months' imprisonment was imposed by the Magistrate in each case. The Bench, who was unanimous, consisted of Mr. Justice Barton, ill'. Justice Isaacs, Mr. Justice Iliggins, Mr. Justice Duffy, Mr. Justice Powers, and Mr. Justice Rich.

Mr. Justice Barton said tho charge laid against defendants was that they were taking part in a meeting which was a sham, its real object being a different ono from the reason stated. The High Court did not express any opinion as to the propriety or impropriety—or, rather, the outrage—of the holding of meetings of the kind. The object of the meeting was said to be an endeavour to obtain cheaper food for tho people. This might or might not have been a sham, but it was not proved to be a sham, and the charge that persons were present on the "pretext" of making known their grievances was different to a charge of being present "for the purpose" of making such grievances known. The defendants inisrht have heen convicted under the Intter charge, but that did not concern tho Court, because the charge against th'ein was that their bcitu; there was a "pretext" or n sliam. The Court offered no opinion in regard to the VtfttuTr.v of the regulations.

TTio' other Judges having concurred, tho appeals were allowed, and the convictions quashed. In each instance no order was made as to costa.

Mrs. Walsh was further remanded in the police Court on livo charges of having, contrary io the Unlawful Associations .'Tct, encouraged injury to property.