THE SEDITION APPEAL.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 March 1917, Page 3

THE SEDITION APPEAL.

Decision Reserved

Wellington, March 28

Arguing for the Grown in the sed - tiou ca;ea the Solicitor-Gene al said if the Military Service Act, 1916 was ultra vires, there was sufficient seditious tendency in the utterances to justify convictions. Dealing with the question of validity of the Military Service Act, he said the Crown relied on Sectiou 177 of the Imperial Army Act 1881, which gave power to Uolonial Legislatives to pass acts io pend troops abroad.

But apart from that, the Constitution Act gave ample power. So far as the validity of the Regulations were concerned they have not made any act done abroad an offence. They were therefore within the competency of the legislature. Mr Hutchison briefly replied. The Court reserved its decision and adjourned till 10.30 to-morrow. Dairy Factory Burned Hawera, March 24 The Hawora Dairy Company’s Towhiti branch cheese factory and creamery building was destroyed by fire at midnight. Nothing was saved except a whey tank and the men’s cottage. The fire is believed to have originated in the boiler room. That part of the factory was twenty years old. The insurances amount to £I4OO. The Insurances Nelson, Ma ch 28 Insurances on lest night’s fire at Jackson and Co building £750, stock £I,BOO, fittings £IOO in Alliance. Buxton’s bulk store £SOOO in New Zealand Insurance. Aneell building £3OO in Sun and stock £375 in Standard. Lightbands are unavailable. The losses are moderately heavy.