THE KAIPARA AND WAITEMATA ECHO With Which Is Incorporated "The Kaipara Advertiser & Waitemata Chronicle." Helensville, Friday, May 1, 1914 THE CASE OF HOLLAND

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 1 May 1914, Page 6

THE KAIPARA AND WAITEMATA ECHO With Which Is Incorporated "The Kaipara Advertiser & Waitemata Chronicle." Helensville, Friday, May 1, 1914 THE CASE OF HOLLAND

Holland was justly convicted of sedition ; 'he was convicted of being a disturber of peace, a firebrand dangerous to the stability jof society, a mischievous leader lof the people, who might at any moment rouse them to the sub--1 stitution of violence, for treason : ■' a, man whose principles and practice tend daily to the sub~ j versicm t>f $\\e existing order of things. Justly ecmyicted; he got 12 months. Holland has been lightly punished. But Labour I has come forward complaining jof the hardship of his case, and } urging that there shall be no vindictiveness, i The Hon J. T. Paul, jjt the j head of what was termed to*day the sane unions, was the spokesman of this milk-and-water j balderdash. Mr Allen, as Minister for the moment in the place of the Minister for Justice, was, with equal milk-and-water

force, pleased to hear the sentiments of the " sane unions," and undertook to speak to the depositary of justice in the matter.

Now, let us look a little close at this transaction. The Hon J. T. throws his milk-and-water protection over a mischievous rebel in a cloak of "sane unions " —the Minister notes the fact with apparently cordial approval —what have we in the background of this spectacle of charitable amity ? What but the spectre of a Labour party united by the Hon J. T's. intervention, becoming a friend of Massey of the "square deal" in return for clemency to the labour champion ? Thus will the hon. gent and the Government lie down in peace and amity together, backed up by the forces of labour.

We like not the smell of intrigue. There may be none here. But it will be better for the Government to leave the sedition-monger to his fate. Of course if a medical certificate establishes illness too dangerous for prison, Holland must be set free at once. That we should admit in all sedition cases. But then there need be no deputations and no talk about vindictiveness, and no Cheap Jack sentiment, actually contravening the judgment of .the Court under a pretence of humanity.