I.W.W. ENQUIRY

Hokitika Guardian, 2 August 1920, Page 1

I.W.W. ENQUIRY

; AUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION THE' I. WAV. INQUIRY. JU.SICD EWING’S -REPORT. SYDNEY, August 1. Mr Justice Ewing’s report on the I.WAV. cases is very lengthy. It carefully reviews the gener.il evidence and traverses the case of each man. In several cases Justice Ewing admits that doubts have not been fully cleared up, but in all such cases he. followed the usual British practice of giving the prisoners the fidl benefit of the doubt. He repeatedly denounces tlie evidence of Scully and the Goldsteins who, the judge declares, were prepared to swear anything inside or outside the Court- to save themselves from being implicated to receive substantial rewards as informers. The report has caused a- surprise and much -speculation as to future developments. In some quarters it is regarded as a severe knock to the jury system. In Labour circles Justice Ewing’s findings have been received with much satisfaction combined with a strong demand for the immediate release of the men, and arrangements are being made for big demonstrations to celebrate their release. A rumour is current that there is a possibility of the Federal Government stepping in and clopoting 10 out of 12 who are not Australian born, on the ground that they were convicted for sedition during a- -critical period of the war. This action could be taken either under the War Precautions or the T7ndesirable Aliens Act. Such intei-ven-tion, however, is sure to meet with strong opposition in Labour circles.