O'BRIEN AND O'ROURKE

Hokitika Guardian, 4 May 1917, Page 3

O'BRIEN AND O'ROURKE

Remanded Without Bail

The Language Complained of. [PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT.] Christchurch, May 3 James O’BrieH, engine-driver, of Greymoath, and Peter O’Rourke, coalminers’ obeck weighman, cf Ruuanga, who were arrested at Greyroonth on charges of having made seditious utterances, appeared to-day before Mr Bailey, 3.M., when they were formally charged and remanded till te-morrow. Bail waa^not allowed. The charge against O'Brien was that on April 19th, at Greymoutb, he published ths following seditious utterances: — “ People eay the miner came out on strike twelve months ago. Tha Runanga miners passed a resolution that they would go on strike if conscription was carried in this country* Well, tbe time has come, and the miners are now on strike. The miner gave plenty of warning as to what he was going to do. Have you got BDy idea how many men are in gaol at the present time ? If what I read in tbe

paper is right they say that 45 are summoned, and nine or ten more arrested. Semple, Armstrong, Thorn, Brindle and all tbe rest—Did they thiok for a moment that the miner was a new type ot mongrel ? Did th.y not know he was going t i fight ? We have heard there is a'vaat body of people in Gr6>mou!h rgfiast the Act (meaning thereby the Military Service Act, 1616; I wonder are there ? If there are, what ate you doing? Tha miners ara on str.ke. What are you doing?'.lf tnere are in this icwna great number of ptop'e »bat believe in the miners ac ion, that believe that ha is doing right, and believe that he ia fighting for the freedom of N'w Zetland—well, if there are let you be up and do ; ng. Dsn’t be afraid of your jobs. Jobs are Dot much. You have a right of demonstratiou and if you fores the referenda min this country 1 .am perfectly ctrtaiu the. C<nscrip?ioa Act will be finished forever. Well, now it remains with you peop'e. If you value the lives of your eons ; if you dou’t want these horrible butcheries to be carried on—the figures siy that 20,000,000 have been killed in Europe twenty times the whole popula ion of New Zraland. Do you want it carried ou ? If you want freedom, you want to make yourselves koown, You have got to aot and act quickly in the future. So don’t forgot thah I hope yoei will remetnber my, words if you don’t want this fight to go to the enemy.” The oharge against Peter O’Rourke was in respsot ’of the following speech: “ All over the world to-day the cutlook seems dark as far as the working classes are conoerned. We are men-

aced with one of the greatest ssrpenta that has ever been kuown. When I speak of that, yon will understand ihe serpent 1 refer to is the question of conscription, We koow why we entered into the war, ihe reason why we entered the war, was ftr the purpose of breaking down Prussian militarism. They said* as long ea it remains in the world there c*n be no peace or harmony.’ They had started UDder the voluntary system with plenty of men available, and when these gallant men went away, what do we find ? AlmoEt immediately the men’s backs were turned a move was <-made for the purpose of conscripting England and the colonies, and they brought German militarism iuto England—one of the most cowardly actions that was ever indulged in. They . introduced conscription for the patpose oFmaking more eeonre the wealth they had secured from the workers. It was proved there were mcie soldiers in England than they could equip. They brought conscription into England for the purpose of holding the i wealth ip order that they will tjemore

secure in yeaia to coma to keep the toilers in eubjaction. They wnnted cheap men—men who would work for a bob or teopenca a day. That is tbe reason thev introduced conscription. We anticipated the tronb'e, We kmw there was trouble 'at- .he bock of this thing. The minrr is by no mearß a coward. Knowing- the battles onr forefathers fought in the past it is not likely the miner is going to submit, quietly. The prts* understand the people of New Zealand don’t want eoneciip'ioi). They know there is aguarioa from the North Cape to the Bluff apainst conscripi'on. The man who swung the b?.ton Hst strike is not going to lender the Government aid to send them to France, In conclusion let me say that ae far as the miter is concerned there is going to be no compromise in the situation. It will be a fight to a finish.”

SEDITION CHARGES. Hearing Proceeding. Christchurch, May 4 P. G. Webb, James O'Brien aud Peter O’Rourke were charged on remand to day with making seditious utterances on the West Cornt. The case against O’Briea was taken first. Accused appealed for a trial by 3 nr y* The Magistrate said —Yon have not the right in this case. An appliclliin for ferial at Gieymouth was refused. O’BRIEN CONVICTED Sentenced to II Months Christchurch May 4 O’Brien was convicted, the Magistrate sayiDg all tbe men would like to see the war fiinshed, and no doubt accused was sincere in his sentiment, but his utterance tended to interfere with recruiting. A sentence was passed of imprisonment for eleven months. o’hourke Sentenced. Christchurch, May 4 O'Rourke was similarly charged. The Magistrate said accused had brought no evidence that he had not nttered the words. Ha was sentenced to eleven months imprisonment. Webb's Case Adjourned Christchurch, May 4 In the charge against P. C. Webb an adjournment was granted till May 9th.