INCITED DISORDER

Hokitika Guardian, 13 December 1932, Page 5

INCITED DISORDER

TWO YEARS’ GAOL

SENTENCE ON HUNGER MARCHER

(United Press Association —By ,r)ectrio Telegraph—Copyright;

(Received this day at 10.5 a.m.)

LONDON, December 12-,

Sidney Job Alias was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment by Sir Justice Lilian les who declared.that lie was sure that- the jury would agree that the ca-se had been free from political bias. Britain's policy was to allow people, to express any views and advocate any revolution they wiahod provided they refrained from inciting others to dis--den- and .‘violence.. E'liias had admitted that, lie was a hunger marcher, aimed, not at drawing attention to the troubles bravely borne, .but at inciting mass to struggle against the capitalist state. Demonstrations requiring police, intervention were unlawful.

Passing sentence, Mr Justice Charles added: “The jury has rightly convicted Elias. The unemployed workers’ movement is in" the interests of the workers only, because the British worker is honest and law abiding. Not one in a thousand is led astray by the activities which Alias prosecuted at the behest of Moscow, The maximum sentence is far to short.” A well-dressed woman shouted: “How dare you arrogate the right to speak for the workers. To hell with capitalist justice.”

A London message on November 4 said : “You must fight the police terror and agitate for the Chief’s dismissal,” declared a long fetter from 'Moscow, instructing Hail Hannington and Emfys Llewellyn, leaders of the Unemployed Workers’ Union. The letter was signed, “Sidney Job Alias.” Thirty-five men wore arrested yesterday owing to. the discovery of the letter when the police raided Hannington’s office. Elias who is chairman of the movement, wrote the letter, during a visit to Russia. To-day he was charged! at Bow 'Street with inciting Hannington and Llewellyn to cause discontent, dissatisfaction and ill-will between the different classes of his Majesty’s subjects and to create public disturbances against the police.