Disloyal Utterances

Horowhenua Chronicle, 23 February 1916, Page 3

Disloyal Utterances

: IWO MONTHS IMi IUSOLNME.YJ. i As a sequel to an occurrence at the Paiinerston North railway star tion Home weeks ago nvhen, in the presence of a number of soldiers and civilians, an elderiy woman suddenly, burst into a violent tirade against the King and the British people Ellen Fuller was charged before 'Mr J. W. Poynton. S.M., at the Magistrate's Court, on Monday morning: "That she did publish on January 19th last a stalement to the effect it is always the same with you Britishers, your King George is a , and when the Kaiser comes out he will have the lot of you slaughtered. The iviiser is my lord and master,' the said statnient indicating disloyalty and disaffection in respect of the present war." Accused failed to appear or to b« represented by counsel. Sergeant Henry, representing the police, explained that the charge was made under the War RegulationsA ot, 1914.

[ Evidence was given by John Stan- | brook, railway porter, who stated that I accused was not drunk at 'the time, hut to all Appearances was very excited. She would be between 40 and 30 years of age, and witness *fc®uldi not discern any reason Xor accused's behaviour. He heard the language complained of. Allen Greig and Emily Tasker also Save corroborative testimony. The first knowledge of accused was when she made some enquiries relative to luggoge. mid she was at that moment quite calm. The language mentioned in the charge-sheet- was uttered hy accused. In reviewing the tacts oi the case, ■Sergeant Henry informed the Court that accused was o Norwegian iby birth and had been resident in the Dominion lor some forty years. She was 70 years of age. In imposing a penalty of two months' imprisonment His Worship observed that the nose was not one for a fineIt ivas an illustration ot gross ingrati-tude--accused was no-doubt well treated in a Hritish dominion and enjoyed all tTie privileges of citizenship, and she was probably in receipt of the old age pension. Her utterances were abominable-—more so on account ot their utterance in the presence ot sol-diei.-i. This ease was one for a severe pen.iltv and showed the necessity tor strict dealing.—Standard.