THE STRIKE LEADERS.

Te Puke Times, Volume II, Issue II, 2 December 1913, Page 3

THE STRIKE LEADERS.

AGAIN REMANDED. . Wellington, November 28, The first of the cases against the strike, leaders commenced yesterday. The Court was crowded, and special constables guarded the bin ding, both'inside and out as well the approaches There was a stiivin Court when W, ,T. Young was called. He was charged with having incited persons to resist the police. Mr Ostler appeared for the Crown, and Messrs Wilford and o'Regan for the defence. In his opening address,' Mr Ostler said "it seemed to be the general opinion that Young was arrested because he was a leader of the strike. Nothing could be more absurd. Anbody was within his right in being the leader of a strike ; on the other hand everybody had a right to work. The speech' accused was charged with having made took place on October 26. Both before and after that there were scenes of'violence and rioting in Wellington. Owing to that the Govepntnent took steps to regain command of the streets, and it was in that connection that accused uttored the words charged against him. Among the Witnesses called were reporter J on the' New Zsai

land Times, Evening Post, and The Dominion.

Mr Wilford said the defence was that there'was no offence at law. He contended that incitement under 68, of the Police Offences Act must be incitement of a person or persons to resist a particular policeman in the execution of his duty. When the speech was made there were no constables executing their duty, and the whole suggestion of the utterance in question was suppositious. Mr Wilford further submitted that Young, had done no more than issue generally to a large number of people engaged in industrial strife an invitation or advice that if any of them was struck by a police baton he should hit back. .

'The Magistrate intimated that in view of the importance of the questions raised, he would take time to consider the matter, and would remand accused until December 4.

George Bailey, charged, with inciting people to commit a breach of the peace, and Peter Fraser, similarly charged, were bound over to keep the peace for 12 months, in their own recognisance of. £200, and two sureties of £200 each. ; »

The charges against Semple. Holland, and Barker were held over to December 4. .