THE DEFENCE LAWS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 16, 24 May 1913, Page 5

THE DEFENCE LAWS.

(Per Press Association.] Dunedin, May 23. In the Supreme Court to-day, Reuben Walter Coulscn and John diaries Sanders appealed against the decision of the magistrate, Mr Haselden, in convicting and fining them £5 eacn for failing to attend Territorial parades without lawful excuse. Mr Adams, who appeared for the appeh ants, said tjre Act of 1912 came in to force on November 7, while the parades were held in August, Sep tern her and October, and the information on which the fines were inflicted was sworn on November 1, six days before the Act came into force. This'class of legislation had been declared unconstitutiinal in America, and had been referred to by English judge; as barbarous, cruel and unjust. Air Fraser, for the Crown, contended that the Magistrate was just.fie in taking into consideration the state of the,law at the time he was writing his judgment. Mr Justice Williams said that if came as a shock to think that for an act which twas innocent to-day one might be punished criminally under an act pasised three months hence. He would take time to consider his decision. He had not the slightes sympathy with persons who tried tc shirk their military obligations, but he had still less sympathy with tin kind of interpretation that the Crown wished the' Court to put upon this statute.