“AN ATTITUDE OF MIND ”

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 54, 26 November 1921, Page 3

“AN ATTITUDE OF MIND ”

MET LENIN IN SWITZERLAND

TUTOR ASSAULTS LAW-CLERK

C. F. F. Marsh-Roberts, described as n tutor, wag charged yesterday before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., with assaulting Douglas J. B. Seymour. This was a private prosecution, and Mr. D. S. Smith appeared for the complainant. Mr. Smith said that the complainant was a law clerk, but prior to taking up Law he was employed as organiser of the Workers’ Educational Association in Wellington. Later on Mr. Seymour relinquished the position, and was succeeded by the defendant who had been a clerk in Holy’ Orders, in the Church of England. On arrival in New Zealand, for some reason or other he did not continue his work as a clergyman, but accepted the position vacated by Mr. Seymour.

The incoming organiser of the Workers’ Educational Association was met by the outgoing man, and in the course of conversation Marsh-Roberts revealed himself as a man-, who had met Lenin in Switzerland, find thoroughly approved of his principles. He said that Bolshevism was evidently an attitude of mind, and had nothing constructive about it. Since then the defendant had proved by his action that Bolshevism was not ■merely an attitude of mind, but an attitude of the fists as well. Mr. Seymour took steps to acquaint, the authorities with the attitude and leanings of the defendant. An inquiry was held, and the defendant was removed from his position. He then went to Hoslings, where he •.taught several pupils, and where, counsel •alleged, he slandered some prominent men connected with the Victoria College Council. From Hastings the defendant went to Palmerston North, where he became associated with the Workers’ Association. Counsel alleged that defendant slandered the Palmerston- Borough Council, and the council retaliated bv withdrawing the subsidy to the Workers’ Educational Association. An-inquiry was-held, and- the defendant’s connection with the Workers’ Educational Association terminated. On November 15 the defendant came to Wellington. and met Mr. Seymour in the street; he accused Seymour of being the cause of his dismissal, and struck him. The defendant, in answer to the charge, said: "I plead guilty to having lost my temper under great provocation. I had some books and papers under one arm, and with the other I struck the man.’’ The accused wished to say something in .a general way, but he was pulled up by the Magistrate, who fined him 405., and costs.