TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 May 1917, Page 3

TELEGRAMS.

Per Press Association.- -Copyright.

MR WEBB REMANDED.,

No Bail Allowed, CHRISTCHURCH, May 2. Mr.P. C. Webb, M. P., appeared before M. Bailey S.M., this afternoon. Mr Raymond, K.C., represented the Crown. Accused was ndt represented uf counsel. The chaiges were that on February

22nd ,at Taylorville, he did publish th© following seditious languarge: “Now. that the Government aro taking men.-' by force (meaning thereby administering the provisions of the “Military Service Act, 1916,” relative to compulsory military service) I say it is «P t* tlie men and women to rise and <0 say to the Government: “You will not take one man.” If we allow 'this Government to take men by fercu, *wn are guilty ourselves of the crime committed by the Gov-

ernment,” . Which utterance was seditious, in that the publication thereof had a tendency to interfere with the effective conduct of the Military preparations of His Majesty, and to encourage opposition to G-e enforcement of the laws in force in New Zealand relative to compulsory military service and the effective administration of these laws.

Also that on April 19th at Greymouth lie published the following seditious utterances:

“Tbe miners (meaning thereby certain coalminers then engaged in a strike) are fighting against conscription, and would go to gaol rather than shirk what they feel to be their duty to the country. That is their sentiment at the present time. They are not fighting for themselves alone. They are fighting for thousands of people who are not able to figlit for themselves ■* (meaning thereby the men subject to compulsory military under the Service Act, 1916 ” When the true history of the part played by the miners during this great struggle is written, I am certain of this, the miners will stand out in letters of gold, as compared with any other section of the community.”

Accused pleaded “not guilty'' u> both charges. Mr Raymond applied for an adjournment at Christchurch till next Friday, when the witnesses who on their way would ibe in Christchurch. With this ease, would be taken two other cases against two defendants who had been arrested on fhe West Coast, and were on their way to Christchurch* Accused asked if there was , any chance of getting an adjournment to Wellington. “I would like,” 110 said, “if possible, to be remanded to Wellington. It is my intention to call' a number of witnesses who will be attending a big miners’ conference there and I also desire to cijll several Min- _ isters of the .Crown. . : The Magistrate-said the Crown did not want to haufpkr, accused in any way in getting liis witnesses.Accused said he would prefe* to be tried in Greymoutli, and If not m Greymouth then in Wellington. .Eventually the Magistrate remanded accused until next Friday ait Christchurch. Accused applied for bail. Mr Raymond: “I oppose the application for bail. This is a class of case regarded as extremely grave at th« present time. Every possible facility will be granted to accused to prepare his defence.” “ The Magistrate: “I have refused bail iu all previous cases,, and I will not make any exception in this case.”