AN M.P. ON TRIAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 May 1917, Page 5

AN M.P. ON TRIAL.

OX CHARGES OF SEDmOJT. X X • , * J'l bail refused. . i ' —* • t.i'i By Telegraph—Press Association. . Cliristchurcb, Maw I ®.*, 'jj P. Webb, M.P., appeared before ]Q *\s Bnilpjj, S.M., this afternoon. < Ti. 'Hi Mr Raymond, K.C., repreaented 'tttf jj'3 Crown. Accused was not represent*! ; tJ by counsel. /I if ? The charges were dfatf on Febmary W.?■ I at Tuylorville, ho did publish toe follows / in? seditious language:— "Now'that tlx V ; Government are taking men by io««M [ (meaning thereby administering tbfi jtfo< " ■' c visions of tin;' Military Service Art, IMO, relative to compulsory military service); '.4 "I say it is up to the men and maun' S to rise and say to tho Government, Tfon 1 will not take one man.' If we i this Government to take men 'by fowei "v We are guilty ourselves of t)ie crime J committed by tho Government." Whieh ;J utterance wag seditious, in that OflbU* jM§ cation thereof lmd a tendency to intta . R ferp with the effective conduct of ifco . ••J military operations of (His Majesty, * A to encourage opposition to tile enfoecement of laws in force in New Zealand' relative to the Compulsory Military »]' Service and to interfere with tho proper . ; and effective administration of those "'ij laws. That on April 18, at Greymouti^■ f ~j he published the following sedition* lit-tcranee:—-"The miner (meaning thereby ',J# certain coalminers then engaged In the la strike) is fighting against conscription would co to gaol rather than shirk rj what tiiey fool to bp,their duty to tfce )''|i country. That is their sentiment at the " present time. |They are not fighting fot'' themselves alone. They are fighting fot thousands of people, who aro not afilt V S> to tight for themselves (meaning therebyV * '"• tho men subject to compulsory service under the Military Service Art) lrtlfl), and when the true hirtory of tto -'lf part played by miners duringthil gnat struggle is mitten, I am certain of this, <C| that the miner will stand out in fatting/I of gold as compared with any other ieeuifll tion of the community." ■ 's,!s Accused pleaded not guilty to lwt3i;'"?u charges. Mr Raymond applied for irf'-j'Ji adjournment! at Christcliurch next day, when witnesses who were on way would 'bo in Chrlatchflrch. this case would be taken up two otiiftv a against two defendants wlio had arrested on the West Coast, and win Off.' (71 their way to Christehurch. Accused asked there was any[ij;--|j chance of getting an adjournment M isi Wellington. "I would like," he said, 'if ® possible to bo remanded' to Wellington, '.iSj 'lt is my intention to call a number' ?i, witnesses who will be attending"a miners' conference there, and I also de* ,'ia sire to call several Ministers of Crown.' 1 ' (MM The Magistrate said tho Crown not want to hamper adctued in anjr WajfrljS in getting liis 'Witnesses. ,1 Jfl Accused said he would prefer to s»' «|s tried in Circymouth, and, if not in Greyi moutlii, in Wellington. Eventually, tho Magistrate remanded' v*! accused until next ! Friday at Christn.r ■S& church. ' • .• ;*j s!m Accused applied for bail. "jl . Mr Raymond: I oppose an appllca« tion for hail. This class of case £• garded as extremely grave at this prea- 'Jjrl cut time. Every possible facility will be granted accused to prepare Ma don fe?}-c. ■ " ;•:» Tho Magistrate: I have refused ball ' in' all ( previous cases, and I make an exception in this ease, . ■' ,\J FURTHER ARRESTS. Greymouth, Yesterday.- v P. d'Borke and James O'Brien w«rt arrested to-day nt Rtinanga. It ic to * eb| Heved the arrests were ill cosneclloU with speeches made in the nmnicljtaf - y*yjj campaign, when both spoke as memlwW deputed to place the coal miners'"josi* tion with regard to tho conscriptl®* strike before tho labor Party• meeting ," *1 Sat Greymouth, Mr P. C. Webb, who w»* '-!?S arrest :tl at Wellington sddressetl same meeting. ' ' ' k 3|