SEDITION CHARGES.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 April 1917, Page 5

SEDITION CHARGES.

HEARING (X>NTINUED. : ''THE PERMISSION CABLE," Ey.Telegraph.—'Press Association. , .'. Aftckland^L&stjNight. At the trial ofTohn Jones, president of the Coal Miners' Federation, of conspiracy to encourage' seditious strike at the Tanpiri mines, Sub-Inspector Mcllveney gave evidence ol the arrest'of defendant and others at liuntly, the search of houses and the union offices, and the seizure of documents. The defendant gave every assistance. Jordan, another defendant, admitted having written and posted a notice at the Extended pithead on February 28. Mr. Sii.ger, for the defendant, asked permission- to mako an explanation which his clients were anxious to have made respecting tho correspondence dealing with tlie-Austrelkn strike. Mr. 1 Meredith, in his opening address, had made a strong point of the cable sent to Australia signed 'Arbirelde," "*"SiM Btatlng "Have granted the New Zealand Government permission." The prosecuting counsel had suggested that the body of which Arbuckle was the mouthpiece wa9 acting as a superior ibody to the New Zealand Government and that the, destinies of New Zealand were not controlled, by a representative Government tout by a select coterie known as the Coal Miners' Federated iUnion. As a matter of fact, When Mr.'Meredith-made'that part of his address he was nob aware of the circumstances under which the cable was ,sent. The matter was oi importance to, the miners and they wished it to be known that theydid not usurp the functions of the Executive Government, but that the transactions and wires between Arbuckle and tho Australian miners were carried out and sent with the consent and knowledge of tho Government. 'More than that, they were sent at the expense of the New Zealand Government. What might be known as the "permission cable" to Australia was written in the presence and at the request of the Minister for Justice and seut away by the Minister or one of his secretaries.

Sub-Inspector Mcllvenoy, proceeding with his evidence, read telegrams and letters found in the defendant's possession relating to matters of the Federation. Among tho documents were a aeries of telegrams and letters, signed by Arbucklq, in which the policy of restriction was frequently referred to as a subject of ballot by tho West Coast miners, and eventually the agreement of all tho miners there except those, of Mlllerton, to tho adoption oi ''restriction." The hearing was further adjourned.