ALLEGED SEDITION

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 199, 11 May 1918, Page 8

ALLEGED SEDITION

CHARGE AGAINST A CLERGYMAN. By Telegraph— Press Association. Christchurch, May 10. Tho Rev. James Henry G. Chappie, who preaches in Christchurch. was charged at the Magistrate's Court this utternoon with having uttered sedition at Greyinoutu, The charge stated that on March 'i'J ho said: "You aro under the heels of tho war lords. We hav» not enough population for our own country, ynt we are lusting after the annexation of Samoa. The patriotic poison is in our schools. ' Children are taught to salute the llag, and taught to sing the it'ational Anthem. I .tell my children when they conio home not to sir.g the National Anthem. lam hoping with a fervent hope that in this war there will be no victor. To pray about u war is blasphemy. A woman goes down into the Valley of Death to bring a ehildjnto the world. She nurses it, sends it To school, sees it throush tho Sixth Standard,; then comes the call to arms, and it goes away tu war. What for? To die for its country ? No; to die for the profiteer."

Another charge stated that on the same occasion the accused said: "Russia wanted war. England wanted war. ' The upper classes in New Zealand wanted war. Never has there boen such a wonderful five days (meaning the days of the lLcdsiau liere'utiou). 't'he old Russia has gone, and the ne,v Russia has come in. I hope before I die to see a simitar movement in New Zealand. 1 hope the day will come in New Zealand when these war loans will bo repudiated. I hopo not a penny of the war lonns will be repaid. You do not authoriso them." Mr. Raymond, K.C., appeared for the prosecution. Accused, who was represented by Mr, Twyneham, pleaded not guilty. Mr. Twyneham, in asking for an adjournment, said inquiries would have tb ho made on tho West Const, and the defence would probably bo that tho words wero used with qualifications or elabor. ntiona. which would completely disprove any charge of seditious tendency. A remand was granted HI) next Friday. RELEASE OF '~UNGLEV, FLOOD, AND HUNTER DEMANDED. Christchurch May 10. At a very largely-attended meeting of the Lyttolton Waterside Workers' Union tho following motion was carried uiinniniously:—"Thai, this union views with alarm the unjust and outrageous sentences passed on Langley, Flood, ami Hunter for alleged sedition; wo consider them a direct aitaclv upon ozonised labour, and domiuid thft immediate release of tho men; that n copy of this resolution bs, fonvnrdeel tt, tne Prime Minister and the Minister of Justice, and also to the newspapers."