ALLEGED SEDITION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1208, 14 February 1914, Page 3

ALLEGED SEDITION.

CASE OF EDWARD HUNTER. The hearing of the charge ol sedition against Edward Hunter was resumed at Wellington on Thursday. In the course of his summing-up, the Chief Justice remarked that sedition was a rare charge in New Zealand. The early settlers had been able to improve their laws and air their grievances without resorting to violence. Practically the only violence in the past was that associated with the Maori wars. Recently, however, it had been resorted to, and no country could exist if it was allowed to go on unchecked and unpunished. Freedom of speech should not be abused, and in this connection the jury had to consider whether the speech of accused was intended to create violence, or was it a speech merely in criticism of existing governments or existing institutions. The jury disagreed, and a new trial was ordered, the date to be fixed later. Hunter was allowed bail. HOLLAND POUND GUILTY. BUT RELEASED ON BAIL. Harry Holland, editor of the Maoriland Worker, was charged with uttering seditious language at the Basin Reserve on October 26th, and in Newtown Park on November 2nd. Evidence was given by Detectives Rawle and Lewis, Leo Fanning (of the Evening Post editorial staff), and Arthur V. O’Brien (Dominion reporter), regarding the speeches complained of. and by John Breen and A. H. Kitchiug (shipping clerks) as to the disturbance that took place on the steamers Navua and Defender on October 24th and 25th. Both had been attacked by the mob. Mr Wilford, counsel for the defence, raised two legal objections that the words complained of were not capable of being construed as seditious. The jury, after a retirement of two hours, returned a verdict of guilty. The points raised by Mr Wilford were reserved for consideration by the Court of Appeal. Holland was released in the meantime on bail. .