I.W.W. ENQUIRY

Hokitika Guardian, 4 August 1920, Page 3

I.W.W. ENQUIRY

■JUSTICE EWING CRITICISED. i AUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CAR LB ASSOCIATION (Received this day at 11.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, August 3. ; The question of the release of the . I.W.W. prisoners, in accordance with j Justice Ewing’s report, is the subject of much comment in the newspapers. It is regarded as a serious matter that the findings of a Junior Judge, imported from another State should he allowed to override the considered" finding of older and more experienced Judges. The New South Wales Supreme Court has suggested that the Government might mend the position by referring Justice Ewing’s recommendations to the Judges who have already dealt with the ; eases for a report, before releasing the prisoners.- With reference to Mr Storey’s contention that Justice Ewing’s commission was the fulfilment of a promise given by the Labour Party at its hustings, it is contended that such | a promise cpulcl not justify a departure from the sound and approved leg- i al practice as that involved, particularly by a Government which did; not secure a majority mandate fropi the electors.. ! A special meeting of the New South Wales Executive Council ordered the release of all the I.W.W. prisoners, except King and Reeve. The Trade? Hall Council is arranging a public welcome to thy men at the Town H;ill on Friday. MR FULLER’S VIEWS. • SYDNEY, August 3. Hon. Mr Fuller views the release of the industrial prisoners with the greatconsternation, He referred to Justice Ewing’s statement that he would be quite careless what the opinion of the people of 'Sydney would lie, because by j the time the report was received he j would be in Tasmania. Mr Fuller con- j eluded: “The whole country will resent ! this latest judicial burlesque.” | Mr Foxton, Independent Nationalist, ' who since the election has supported the j Government stated that in view of the dangerous precedent established ho will in future oppose them. He suggests that Mr Levy resign the Speakership and support the Opposition.

THE I.W.W. (Received this dav at 11.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, Aug 4

Replying to criticism of Justice Ewing’s report, Mr Storey said Judges at previous inquiries might have found differently if wider scope were given them. Answering a jibe that Ewing was a second class Judge of a second class State, Air Storey added that Australia’s most brilliant Justice, Griffith, came from one of the smaller States. Mr Hughes denied that the Commonwealth is concerned with the released prisoners. Government were not contemplating action.