EXECUTION OF PODMORE

Hokitika Guardian, 2 June 1930, Page 2

EXECUTION OF PODMORE

I.L.P.’S INDISCREET RE-

SOLUTION

MR CLYNE’S RETORT

LONDOV April 24

"William Henry Podmore was executed in Winchester Prison at 8 a.in. on Tuesday for the murder of Mr Vivian Mess iter, at Southampton, in October, 1928.

Hb whs Wearing the blue suit, brown shoes, and spats lie had worn during his trial, -and be walked to the scaffold firmly. He had eaten no breakfast, but accepted stimulants. At the inquest a verdict was returned that the sentence of death had been duly carried out. Replying to a juror, the prison governor said: "I luive no authority o »"iy whether a prisoner confesses or not.” Mr J.' R. Civues. -v : '„, w Secretary, later commented on a resolution passed by the Independent Labour Party Conference retrn.rdimz his rpt‘n«ji] to recommend a reprieve for Podmore. He said: “That resolution requires me to ignore the solemn decisions of Courts, Judccs, and jury, and to act upon an opinion of capital punishment. I hone that no Secretary of State will ever be Influenced by such art Indefensible doctrine. I searched for many days in the hope that I would, find ft rea ' son for recommending ft reprieve. 4-searr-b-d in vain. I am not prepared to make a mock of the law, however strong, the desire may he to change it. Public opinion must not tike the place of a Court of Law. There is a large volume of public opinion which says that many T.L.P. leaders on gut to be shot Out of hand. I have seen no resolution to act upon that opinion,. and would not act if I were asked”