WAR REGULATIONS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17279, 21 September 1916, Page 7

WAR REGULATIONS.

REFUSAL TO EXHIBIT MILITARY SERVICE POSTER.

DEFENDANT FINED £SO.

At the Magistrate’s Court yesterday mcrning, beforo Mr T. A. B. Bailey, S.M., George Samuel Thomson was charged that on September 1, in breach of the duty .imposed on him by War Regulation No; 3, ho had omitted to exhibit a militar; service notice in a conspicuous place on the premises occupied by him as an office at 63, Cathedral Square. He pleaded not guilty. Mr Raymond, K.C., who appeared for the prosecution, read the regulations dealing with the matter, and said tha; it was incumbent on any person receiving the notices by post or o.herwise to post them in a conspicuous plaee. On September 1 a notice was served on Thomson by a postal olfijial ai his office, which was a Trade Index concern. He refused to have anything to do with it, and declared that he was president of the Co ascription Repeal League and had conscientious objections to displaying it. Subsequently when Detective Ward called on him he admitted that ho had destiuyed the notico. W. H. T. Allwright, assistant clerk at bo Post Office, said that in comjiany with F. E. King, a letter carrier, he called at Thomson’s office, anti inet him at the. foot of the stairs. King handed him a military service poster. He refused to have anything to do with it, snyVig that they oould take it to his office but he would not post it. They then took it to his office, and gave it to his typist, calling her attention to the -printing on the edge compelling him to post it. . F. E. King, a letter carrier, gave similar evidence, adding that lie liad impressed on Thomson tho necessity for posting it in his office. The accused asked if the witness Had taken Allwright with him to every office to take notes on paper and pencil of what was done-

Detective Ward said that ho saw accused at his office on September 4, and told him that the poital authorities had complained of his failure to post the notice. Tho accused said that ho knew ho was liable but ho was president of tho Conscription Repeal League and had destroyed the poster. The accused, who elected not to be sworn, said that in his case there bad been singling out by sending a. clerk along with the postman to take notes- “ That is done as a precaution,” said the Magistrate, “ so that a prosecution shall not fail for lack of corroboration.” The accused commenced a harangue about what might happen under militarism.

“ I cannot listen to this,” said tho Magistrate. “ You are wasting n.y time. It has nothing to do with the case.”

“I am an International Socialist,” ihouted the accused, “ and object rot only to war but to conscription, cue of that things that is getting down tho working’ classes.” “ You are convicted and fined £50,” said the Magistrate.