SEDITIOUS UTTERANCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1653, 21 December 1916, Page 3

SEDITIOUS UTTERANCE.

SOCIALIST IN TROUBLE

SENTENCED TO A YEAR’S IMPRISONMENT.

Christchurch, Dec. 19

At the Magistrate's Court, before Mr H. \V. Bishop, S.M., Bred Iti ley Cooke, a prominent local Socialist, was charged that on December 10th he evxpressed a seditious intention contrary to the War Regulations. The, charge arose 1 over a speech at the Socialist Hall, in which Cooke denounced the Conscription Act. Cooke pleaded not guilty. A portion of the speech was read criticising the Act. After evidence had been heard, Cooke said: “I should like to place my case before 1 yem. That is, of course, if the Court has any (oleration for what a pacifist has to say.” “Go on,’’ replied the Magistrate { Mr Bishop).

“When Reynolds was before the Court," accused went on. “you expressed a desire to get behind the mind of a pacifist. 1 will, therefore, endeavour to show you what is and was behind my mind. On one page of a daily newspaper then l was a bare reference to three boys in one family, (wo of whom were dead and (he other missing. In (he same newspaper then 1 was a column of a report of the freedom of London having been conferred on Mr Massey. That does not appear to be a very fair distribution of honours as a student of psychology.” The Magistrate: “I don’t wish to interrupt you, but I am not going to allow a long rigmarole on political matters, especially on subjects which have happened in England. Von will have to coniine yourself to the subject matter of the charge. Here are the Regulations which deline Ihe position. 1 will also hear anything in extenuation.'’ Accused: “But 1 am trying to show what is behind my mind. As an equal citizen with yon, 1 say 1 was brought up with a belief in the freedom of a Britisher. 1 claim to have the right, therefore, to criticise any Government which goes beyond the powers it was vested in when elect-

Tin l Magistrate; “You have no right.”

At this stage there was some laughter and disturbance from the public, which subsided as the Court orderly walked towards the source. “You have no right,” Mr Bishop resumed, “to interfere with fin 1 recruiting repuirements ’of the eonn-

Aeciised: “As Socialists and pacifists wc stood aside when the

voluntary recruiting business was on, Iml when men arc compelled to serve 1 wish to place before my public, yourself included, my and our altitude towards conscription, i say, as a pacifist and a Socialist, I will raise* mv voice."

The Magistrate: “I want to understand yon, and I want you to understand your position." Cooke l (in an aggressive and delimit manner) : “As a pacifist, 1 say, with all respect to the Court, 1 will ma ke speeches as a Brit isher.” The Magistrate: “Do you still persist in your intention to make speeches oalside ?” “I certainly do.” replied Cooke.

“If yon do,” replied Mr Bishop, “it must affect your position when del ermining judgment.” Accused (heatedly) : “I must persist in my intention, whatever the

consequences. The Magistrate: “ Very well, twelve* months’ imprisonment.”