WHAT IS REASON

Hokitika Guardian, 8 July 1932, Page 2

WHAT IS REASON

H FOR DISLIKE OF SPECIALS. 1. JUDGE SEEKS EXPLANATION. r (Per Press Association — Copyright.) , V WELLINGTON, July 7. ' “I can’t 'understand this hostility to constables,” remarked Mr ,Ju3lajtice B)«air-in the .Supreme Court to-day, . the hearing of the appeal by, ! Mervyn George Berry, against the sentence of twelve months’ imprisonment '-'imposed on mm by ft Magistrate to.- ' }■ shaving been ft-ind in pteaefston of an /. offensive weapon, The cas e arose out ipl the-May riots. -Harry Clifton Berry, brother 1 of the ■'\H appellant, -a carrier, formerly of Aucki . -land, said that; when his brother picked '/I’ up th e stone he told him to put it down ’ Y and not be a f-001. Counsel: “Docs your .brother belong ..//to the Communist Party?” • I;-- Witness: ‘“I’ll bet -my it-hirt he - ' doesn’t! He hates them like poison!” Th e Crown Prosecutor: - “Were you £•; hostile to tb special constables ?” . Witness: “Yes.” Y ' Counsel: “You were booing at fY’them?” ’ • ■;y ;- Witness: “Yes.” ”.s’ v Counsel: “And a detective told you • -/■to vo home?” \ Witness : “Yes.” 4| iCounaeil: “And you said: ‘I can’t, help it! It’s hern in me! My father % was -a, winker !’ ” I’’-/ Witness : “Well there’s no harm in % that!” His 'Honour: “I don’t understand this • hostility to special constables. What hnv 6 they done that they should not do?” '*

Witness: “I can’t understand myself eir.” His Honour: “What’s wrong with the special constables?” “There’s nothing wrong with them!’’ His 'Honour: “I can’t understand this hostility to ihe\ special constables, if would -like to know what they have done.” (Counsel for Appellant: “No one seem® .tounderstand it, ,sir. Perhaps a psychologist could tell us.”