CHARGED WITH DISLOYALTY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 9, 5 October 1918, Page 3

CHARGED WITH DISLOYALTY

/A RUSSIAN TAILOR IN COURT.

Before Mr. F. V. Frazor, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court yesterday, a Russian named Saul Soroken was charged with uttering the following disloyal words: "I would he ashamed to be British;., they are a lot of mongrels." Acting-Sub-luspector Emerson, _ m opening tho case for the prosecution, said that tho defendant was employed as a tailor at Hayward's, in Lambton Quay. Some argument arose among the employees, and Sorokon beoame rather abusive, and made uso of the words complained of. As it was not the first time- he had caused trouble in the workroom, the employees decided to report the matter to the police. When served with a summons, Soroken said that ho did not want the polico chasing around after him. Hβ resented being required to register and to being treated as an alien.

Evidence in support was given by several of Hayward's employees.

For tho defence, Mr. T. W. Hislop, who appeared for the accused, pointed out that ono witness had stated that Soroken had all along spoken in favour of the Allies. Counsel said that Soroken had :boen annoyed by the remarks of some of his fellow-workers.

William Haywnrd said that tho arpumont was purely a shop squabble. Ho understood that the words Soroken Used were: "If you- are a mongrel Britisher, I am glad I am not one." For tho_ sake of discipline in the workroom witness gave Soroken notice immediately he heard of the matter.

Defendant, in his evidence, denied that ho had ever spoken in a disloyal maniior.

The Magistrate, after reviewing the evidence, said the whole matter was apparently a personal one, and tho charge would bo dismissed. For fniling to make application to be registered under the. Aliens Act. Sorokwi was convicted and fined £1 and 7s. coats, in default seven days' imprisonment. /'