SEDITIOUS SPEECH.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 December 1916, Page 7

SEDITIOUS SPEECH.

COOKE GETS TWELVE MOMTHS. I iOOPTS DEFIANT ATTITUDE IN | COURT Christchurch,- Dv 1!). A'. (Ik Magistrate's Court, before Mr. 11. '.V S.M., Fml Riley Cooke, a prominent lo.al Socialist' w;,s chafed that on December IS he expressed a fi c'iit ons intention contrary to the War Herniations. The charge arose ovei a speech at the Socialist Hall, in which Cooke denounced the Conscription Act. Cooke ;>!catdcd not guilty. A portion of the speech was i-end criticising the Act. After evidence had been heard Cooke said: "I should like to place iuv case before yon—that is, of course, 'if • the Court has any toleration for what a pacifist has to say."

"Go on," replied the Magistrate, "When Reynolds was before the Court," accused went on, "yon expressed a desire to pet behind the mind of a pacifist. I will therefore endeavor to show you what is and was behind my mind. On one page of the daily newspaper there was a bare reference to three boys in one family, two of when were dead and the other missing. In the same newspaper there was a column, of a report of the Freedom of London having been conferred on Mr. Massey. j hat does not appear to lie a very fair distribution of .honors. As a student of psychology " The Magistrate: "I don't wish to interrupt you, but I am not going to allow a long Tigmarole on political matters, especially on subjects which have happened in England. You will have to confine yourself to the subject, matter of the charge. Here are the regulations which define the position, I will also hear anything in extenuation." Accused: "But I am trying to show what is behind my mind. As an equal citizen with you I'say I was brought up Jj'ith a belief in the freedom of a Britisher. I claim to have the right, there, fore, to criticise any Government which goes beyond the powers was vested in when elected —"

The Magistrate: "You have no light At this stage there was some laughter arid disturbance among the,public, which subsided as the court orderly walked towards the source.

."You have no right," Mr. Bishop resumed, "to interfere with the recruiting requirements of the country." Accused: ''As Socialists and pacifists wo stood aside when the voluntary recruiting business was on. but when men are compelled to serve I wish to place before the public (yourself included) my our attitude towards conscription. I say as a pacifist and .i Socialist I will raise my voice " The Magistrate: "I want to understand you, and I want you t<s understand your position." Cooke (in an aggressive ar.d defiant mshiner): "As a pacifist I say, with all respect to the court, I will make speeches as a Britisher." ,

The Magistrate: "Do you still persist in your intention to make speeches out.

"I certainly do," replied Cooke. "If yon do," replied Mr. Bishop, "it must affect your position when determining judgment." Accused (heatedly): "I must persist in iny intention, whatever the consequences." The Magistrate: "Very well. Twalve .months' imprisonment."