A FARMER AND HIS SON.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1765, 15 December 1917, Page 3

A FARMER AND HIS SON.

CHARGE OF INCITING TO EVADE MILITARY SERVICE

Hamilton, Yesterday

A( tho Supreme Court', Francis jL. Walker, farmer at Korukonui, was with incitin'? his son, Gilbert, to evade military service. It f' was the first case of its kind in New Zealand. The son was gaze!fed as a deserter, and the police went to the farm and saw the son disappearing into the hush with a ride in his hand. Accused said, “My hoy is not going from here. He is only 19 years of age. You big hulks will never deal with him; deal with me first. He will never fight for Jimmy Allen and the dirty rotten Government.” Accused was Called on by the police several times. On another occasion the police, after seci’eting themselves near the house all night, arrested the son during the absence of the father. The latter returned and said, “If I had been here you would never have taken him. The Government cannot send the boy to light. They have no power to send a man outside the three mile limit. They have sent too many already. Why aren’t you fellows there?” The police searched the house and found half a dozen guns. Allan Graham, auctioneer, stated that he visited the farm and saw the son disappearing into the bush. Accused said, “My son has been drawn in the ballot. The police are here to get him, but he is not going off the place. We .can fight our own battles. He’s got a rifle and its lead? ed. He’ll shoot the first map that dares to follow him. He is a good shot; hp shot a horse a mile pwny. I’ve gof a six-chambered revolver to use before (bey get him, also cartridges. Accused was very excited at the (hue.” Counsel for accused’ did not call evidence, hut staled (hat there was no evidence of direct incitement, hut only of strong language against the Government. The prosecution must prove that accused persuaded the son to dis obey the lawful commands of (he authorities. Xone of the utterances were made by the father in the presence of his son. The presence of firearms had no hearing on the charge of inciting. The jury returned a verdict of not guilty, and prisoner was discharged.