APPEAL FOR JUSTICE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 870, 14 January 1930, Page 7

APPEAL FOR JUSTICE

PROOF OF IDENTITY OF JOHN HOPE RESTITUTION SOUGHT An appeal on behalf of John William Hope, of Onehunga, who is threatened with having to serve another six months’ gaol sentence for non-payment of maintenance to a woman in England claiming to be his wife, has been made by Mr. W. J. Jordan, M.P., to the Minister of Justice, the Hon. Sir Thomas Sidey. Hope has already been in gaol for failure to make payments in Wellington and Auckland. In his letter to the Minister, Mr. Jordan states that he presented a petition on Hope’s behalf at the last session of Parliament, and the committee referred the question of sending Hope to England to the Government for favourable consideration. Since then he had received advice from the Hon. T. M. Wilford. former Minister of Justice, stating that the Government could take no action. This, Mr. Jordan said, was a surprise, as something should be done to prove whether the petitioner is guilty or innocent. Mr. Jordan further states that, when arrested, petitioner had in his possession the sum of £25 3s lOd. which was taken at the Wellington police station. The Minister is asked what further action the petitioner can take to have the matter settled, and what action the Government contemplates either to prove him guilty or to compensate him for the hardship and punishment which he has suffered. “It is evident that it cannot remain in the present position,” Mr. Jordan says. “The petitioner is destitute, and asks for the £25 3s lOd and such other amount as the Government sees fit.”