SALAMAN’S RELEASE

Hokitika Guardian, 9 December 1930, Page 4

SALAMAN’S RELEASE

v ßy Telegraph—Press Association). ELI HAM, December 9. At a meeting of over 50 residents last night, Mayor Bridger presiding, the following motion was passed:—“This meeting in the interests of suffering humanity and the sanctity of human ; life, . asks that Salaman be immed- y iately released.’’ Tho motion was carried unanimously./ ilid is to be forwarded to the Minister of Justice. THREATS OF BOYCOTTING NEW PLYMOUTH, December B. Members of the jury that found Abraham Wally Salaman, herbalist,guilty of manslaughter, are asking themselves what protection they' can secure against abuse that they are receiving from members of the com- . m-unitv who are personally dissatisfied, with the punishment (twelve months’ hard labour) meted out to Salaman by the law for his offence. Jury members have been accosted-, many times in public and subjected to ' heated criticism, and some members whs are in business have been threatened by customers with discontinuance of their patronage. One member, told an interviewer that at least a dozen people had declared that they would take their custom elsewhere in consequence of his having served on the jury which found Salaman guilty. One man had loudly stated his extreme views in a juryman's shop. ”1 efon’t think I’ll lose over it,” said this, juryman, “but n °k a P^ asan t. situation to be placed in, and there is w, a prosnect of losing a small amount of business through having served on • that jury. We made a strong recommemlation to mercy after finding Sala-. H man guilty, and our part should end there, although it seems strange that the recommendation was not mentioned m Court.” -. • y-y Another juryman told a similar , ■ story. “Quite a number of people , have given us gentle hints that we will be made to suffer for the part we played in the case,” lie said. “We have been charged with ‘not consider--ing the good that Salaman has done.’ That had nothing to do with us nor th,e case. One woniann ‘told me off’ in public' and so conducted herself that had the police been present she might have been charged. I think it is- about time some action was taken by somebody to see that jurymen are -. freed from criticism of the manner ini which they discharge their" duties and especially criticism in public that may prove detrimental to business,”