STERN DENIAL

Hokitika Guardian, 30 June 1932, Page 3

STERN DENIAL

INTERFERENCE WITH JUSTICE. SENTENCES IN LATE RIOTS. fPer Press Association — Copyrvjht.) WELLINGTON, June 27. An emphatic deaiu' that m-u'•notions In i h» given by U.ibiiet (•' Urn iMagistrates or the Judges concerning the passing of sentences on those convicted of offences committed during recent disturbances in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, .was given' by tine Miui ter of Justice to-day. .He ■was replying to a deputation from the Alliance of Labour, which sought to secure the revision ol the ’Sentences passed, on the ground that they were too harsh, and that no good purpose could be served by detaining the men in custody any longer.

One speaker said that it was difficult to believe that such sentences, as had been passed, would hav e been imposed unless the Judges and the Magistrates had hern* under instructions from the Cabinet.

In refuting this .suggestion, th e Minister said that neither the Cabinet nor Parliament would dream of interfering in any way whatever with the Court-. In view of the circumstance's, it was to he expected he .said, that fairly drastic sentences would ho imposed and he believed that fml.,consideration had been given to all of the facts. lie h"d, ■no power to grant the remission ol the sentences.

The Minister of Ju-tice, ifi. said, had no power to remit sentences, but In: could obtain a. report ami have tins forwarded to the Governor-General. If the particulars of specific eases were (submitted, lie would consider the representations made.