CABLEGRAMS

Horowhenua Chronicle, 21 January 1915, Page 2

CABLEGRAMS

[ULIiCTIUC TELEGRAPH—COPYRIGHT.] i>Ell I'll ESS ASSOCIATION.]

THE GAUDIN CASK.

Melbourne, .Jan. IU. Ihe Argus, in a leader oil the Gaudin case says"Having regard to the nature of the evidence, the sentence is amazing. After reviewing the nature of the charge, the constitution ol the court, and the proceedings, the Argus adds: "Public opinion in New Zealand has been shocked by these proceedings and with good reason. Gaudin acted foolishly, but his motives were not oriminal. His actions were auspicious, because among his friends for whom he sought to do iavours were several Germans, but his actions, 111 themselves, were perfectly harmless. The Court was informed ,by overwhelming and unquestioned testimony, ol Iwo important lacts, namely, that Gaudin's intentions were innocent, and that injury had not, and could not, havo resulted from his actions. A civil court would have ordered a light punishment under such circumstances." Admitting tliat in wartime it is undesirable that an offence of this kind should go unpunished, the Argus ar gues tliat it could have met the case by imposing a fine of say £100; but instead, three military judges, against whose sentence there is 110 appeal, deprived Gaudin of his liberty for five years. Apparently there is only one method from which any mitigation can be hoped for, that is an appeal to the Governor. This case shows what mayhappen when the military authorities take over the civil administration.