A HARSH SENTENCE.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 13 October 1920, Page 3

A HARSH SENTENCE.

j A PUBLIC PROTEST

S.M.’S JUDGMENT CONDEMNED

A public meeting was held at tin Druids’ Hall on Monday evening last

to protest against the sentence recently imposed on Mr Bruce Anderson, a local resident, for assault ing tlie ranger, and to consider the best steps ro be taken to secure his release from imprisonment.

The meeting was convened hurriedly. There was an attendance of about twenty persons.

Mr T. B. Bax, who was voted to the chair, explained the object of the meeting. Mr Bax said he had perused the newspaper report of the court case in question, and certainly considered the sentence imposed on Anderson a harsh one. He had interviewed a great number of returned soldiers, who felt strongly on the matter, and on their behalf he had wired their member (Mr Field) protesting against the severity of the sentence, and asking him to bring the matter before the Minister for Justice. Mr Bax asked some of the other conveners of the meeting to, express their views on the matter.

Rev. W. <*. Blade. M.A., apologised for Mr Gerald Anderson’s absence. Mr Anderson had requested Him to slate that he had sent on the full newspaper reports and comments on the case to the Minister for Justice anil the Governor-General. He also wished Mr Slade to say that he was in full sympathy with that night ’s meeting.

Air E. Hopkins stated that he knew Anderson well, and had had many dealings with him extending over a .-onsiderable period, and had always found him a really good fellow. Anderson hud a temper, and since liis return from the war, where he had mtfereil considerably, he had become very irritable. He had noticed this himself, anil Anderson’s friends had K.lil him the same thing—that he was tint the same fiian and suffered n-lot.on account of ill-health. Air Hopkins explained that ho had been astounded, on reading the “Otaki Mail” report at' Hie case in question, at the severity id' the magistrate’s sentence, and after making enquiries he had ’phoned Mr Field, ALP., and explained the whole case to him. Air Field had seen the Minister for Justice, who had wired to Mr J. L. Stout, 8.M., asking for a report (in the case. That afternoon AltField' had rung the speaker, saying that tie had had another interview with the Minister for Justice, and thar. there was a possibility of Anderson being released from prison that night,: but he thought it better for that night ’s meeting'to be proceeded wit!;. Mr Hopkins apologised for Rev G. I. Petrie’s absence that night. Mr Petrie had to go to Wellington, and regretted his absence. Prior to leaving he had intimated to the speaker that if thought necessary he would be pleased to interview the Governor General on Anderson’s behalf. Alt' Hopkins suggested that the meeting pass a resolution condemning the action of the B.AI. in passing such a severe sentence, and also appoint a deputation to wait on the GovernorGeneral and endeavour to secure Anderson ’s release. A returned soldier present said that returned soldiers as a body were* in full sympathy with the-meeting, bur. at the same time, thought the inagistrate, in giving sentence, might have been influenced by previous convictions against the man in question.

Air Hopkins said be knew all about these eases. Anderson hail got into trouble on two occasions, but that happened years ago, when he was about 17 or IS years of age, and the offences were only slight. Anderson had served his country, and . fie thought these slight lapses should be pa-ssed over now. (Applause.)

Air Rudkin pointed out that the matters referred to should not be considered by the meeting. Anderson was held ro be a first offender, and should have been treated as such by the S.M. Air Freeman said he had always found their S.AI. a fair man. Tr seemed to him that he had been influenced, in his decision, - by the previous convictions against' Anderson. He knew no one had tiny .’sympathy with the ranger—(Voice: Np!)—he was always looking for trouble. Air Freeman said he had always found Anderson a nice young felloe*. He thought the sentence a harsh one, specially seeing f li? Anderson had n wife and such a la Age family.

Air Hopkins said he understood the B.AI. had, on a previous occasion, said that the next man convicted of assault would be imprisoned, and Anderson was the next man; hence the severity of the sentence.

Air C. Watson said the magistrate hail also convicted the ranger of assault, but he had not been imprisoned. Air W. H. Bowden staff'd he had watched the case closely in court, and Anderson had been tried as a first offender.

The Chairman and Rev. Slade thought the S.M. should not have been influenced by any slight lapse of Anderson's in the past. Air Bax and Mr Penn pointed out that the sentence pressed most severely on Anderson’s wife and children. Air Hopkins then proposed, and Air W: H. Bowden seconded, “That this meeting condemns the action or the SAL in inflicting such a harsh sentence' on B. Anderson in the recent assault case, and considers that a fine would have met the case. ” This was carried unanimously. It was Then .unanimously resolved, on the motion of Mr H. Freeman, seconded by Rev. Slade, that Rev. Petrie and Air G- Anderson be requested tc interview the GovernorGeneral, and endeavour to secure a re mission of Andersen’s sentence. The meeting requested the chairman to convey the resolutions of the meei-

i ing to Air Field and the Alinister of Justice, and the meeting then terj minuted. ANDERSON RELEASED. On Monday evening, after the public mooting had concluded, a telephonic message was received from Air W. H. Field to the effect that Anderson had been released. This news has caused great satisfaction among the townspeople. • . ’Air Field is deserving ol' hearty ] tliunks for the interest ho took in the i mutter, mid for the prompt action he took, with such u successful result.