INSULTING WORDS

Hokitika Guardian, 28 January 1932, Page 5

INSULTING WORDS

NEW GUARD LEADER. JUDGE RESERVES DECISION. Australian Press Association.) SYDNEY, January 27. The hearing of the case against colonel Campbell, head o the New Guard, on the charge of using insulting language jn a public address, was today resumed. When the Court opened Campbell’s counsel, Mr Lamb, Jv.C., intimated that lie would be calling no 'evidence for the defence. This was owing, lie said, to the Magistrate's ruling on January 21st. that the defendant was not entitled to adduce evidence to prove the truth of any statement charged against him. The Alagistraite, Mr Laidlaw, announced that lie had received a large mail of anonymous letters from “all kinds of political cranks.” He hoped that these letters would cease, as they all met the same fate, going into the waste-paper .basket. Mr Lamb argued that the vital principle of the freedom of speech was involved in this prosecution. He contended that the indictment was a piece of petty political persecution, founded in dishonour, and supported by evidence which was supremely ridiculous, for to say, a.s the police officers did, that they were insulted by Campbell’s speech, was pure moonshine. Mr Lamb claimed that if Campbell Were convicted, it would be risky for anyone to utter it criticism of the Rader of , any Government under any circumstances. Air Sheahan, who is prosecuting, in- , timated that he took the ful response- j bility for the non-appearance of the j Premier, Air Lang, in response to the j subpoena, of the defence. He did so I on the'ground that the subpoena was : a n attempt to abuse the processes of the Court. The Magistrate reserved his decision until Tuesday.