A DISLOYAL JOURNAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1533, 8 April 1916, Page 4

A DISLOYAL JOURNAL.

On 30th March last, Tom Barker, the publisher of Direct Action, the organ of the I.W.W. in the Commonwealth (who delivered addresses in New Zealand during the 1913 strike) was charged at Sydney, under the War Precautions Act, 1914-15, with having published in the paper on 4th December, 1915, the following statements, which were, it was alleged, likely to prejudice recruiting :—“The Commonwealth Government is floating a further for the war chest. The prospectus calls upon investors to ‘show a patriotic spirit

. . . especially as no sacrifice is entailed ... the rate of interest being far higher than in normal times.’ Fat (intoxicated with ‘patriotism’), ‘Long hive the War! Hip, hip, ’ooray! Fill ’em up again’ (the said words being in explanation of a picture appearing on the same page as and immediately under a picture depicting a soldier crucified upon a cannon). Prime Minister Hughes has offered another 30,000 men as a sacrifice to the modem Moloch. Politicians and their masters have always been generous with other people’s lives.” Mr White, who appeared for the defence, claimed that there was no evidence to support the charge. He said that the words in the paper were not such as would be likely to prejudice recruiting ; but, on the contrary, would be more likely to encourage those who had not done their duty to come forward. He also contended that the regulations were ultra vires. His Worship (Mr Clarke, S.M.) overruled the points. Defendant, who neither gave nor called evidence, was convicted, and fined with £3 9s costs ; in default twelve months’ imprisonment with hard labour. The Magistrate said he had not the slightest doubt that , the cartoon and words would interfere with recruiting, ane that they were published and intended for that purpose. Barker gave notice of appeal.