ANTI-JAPANESE NOTICE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 38, 15 February 1939, Page 3

ANTI-JAPANESE NOTICE

FOOTPATH PAINTED YOUNG ENGLISHMAN FINED AUCKLAND, Feb. 13. “Painting of notices on the footpath within the city boundary is a breach of the city by-laws,” said Sub-Inspec-tor J. Fox in the Magistrate’s Court, when a young Englishman was charged with such an offence. The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge, the wording of the notice being: “Stop Japanese aggression—don't buy Japanese goods.” Mr. Fox said defendant and a companion were seen by a constable at 2 a.m. on December 20 painting on the

path in Ponsonby Road, near Western Park. They had paint and a stencil and were about to drive off in a motor-car when the constable spoke to them. Defendant explained that he had only recently arrived from London, where painting on the footpath was allowed, and he did not realise he had done any harm.

In reply to the magistrate, Mr. C R. Orr-Walker, Inspector Fox saic that the wording of the notice had nc bearing on the case. “I feel very strongly abojit this matter,” defendant said. “I was carrier away by what has been happening in the war zone in China. I acted with I humanitarian motives, and did not

!stop to think whether it was legal or not. ' The magistrate said there were often a lot of things one might like to paint on footpaths and other places. However, one had to take hold of one’s feelings in such matters. A fine of 10s was imposed, with costs 6s 6d