THE TERRITORIALS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 211, 5 March 1912, Page 5

THE TERRITORIALS.

MISGUIDED YOUTHS PUNISHED. By Telegraph—Press Association. Ghristchurch, Monday. Harry Cook, who previously went to gaol rather than pay a fine'under the Defence Act, was re-arrested to-day and sentenced to three weeks' imprisonment. Other warrants have been issued for the arrest of offenders who refused to pay fines under the Act.

Wanganui, Monday. A young man named Ernest Henry McKay was charged in the l Magistrate's Court this morning with refusing to serve in the Territorials and also for inciting others to absent themselves from drill. Accused did not appear. For the prosecution it was stated that McKay was duly registered, but refused to fail in when ordered to do so. He declared that he would rather do twenty years in gaol than one hour's drill. The magistrate said such a state of affairs could not be tolerated. This was the first case of its kind here, and he did not wish to inflict the maximum penalty. No doubt McKay was influenced by the pernicious literature being circulated in the Dominion and had no conception of his duty to his country. He was fined £1 on each offence, in default three days' imprisonment on each charge.

SOCIALISTS' STRONG PROTEST. Christchurch, Last Night. The Christchurch branch of the Socialist Party to-night passed a most strongly worded resolution protesting against the second imprisonment of the lad Harry Cooke for refusing to register under the Defence Act.