P.—B.

H. L. ELLIOTT.]

37

would fain live at peace one with another, but addresses such as were delivered last night make religious peace impossible. The lecturer appears young enough to offer his services, for the front. We cannot but think that if he were to undergo a, few months' experience on the battlefield along with other religious teachers he would become much more tolerant than he at present, appears to be." You read that, of course, Mr, Elliott? —No, I did not. 57. It has not been communicated to you. However, you admit that that is one of the articles published in a newspaper in New Zealand?—l heard it was published. 58. Have there not been other comments very much in the same style in other papers?— Yes. 59. So that the effect of sonic of your utterances has been that some of the newspapers have called upon the Government to interfere, or have deprecated the attacks you are making at this time upon members of the Roman Catholic persuasion ?—Yes, they have put it that way. Mr. Ostler: How many have asked the Government to interfere? You have only read one. 60. Mr. Gray.] Now, you told my friend yesterday that in consequence of some statement thai the Government had been urged to take some proceedings for the prohibition of the distribution of this pamphlet you saw the Attorney-General, the Hon. Mr. Herdman. Can you recollect Ihe date?— Yes. 61. What date was it ?—On the 24th May. 62. Were you accompanied by Mr. Dickson, member of Parliament?— Yes. 63. Any one else?— Mr. Alexander Donald, of Masterton. 64. Were you going to deliver a lecture after that anywhere? —Yes. 65. Where?—l was, of course, intending then to set out on my lecturing tour —no specific arrangement. 66. Had you in view then the delivery of lectures at any particular place?—No, I had not any itinerary arranged. 67. Did you say anything to Mr. Herdman about the necessity for police protection?— Yes. I can give you the reason. 68. No; it is quite sufficient to answer my questions. Did you. apprehend there might be disturbances at some of Hie meetings?— Yes; on the statements of the Roman Catholic Press, 1 did. 69. You quite apprehended there might be disturbances, and so you appealed to the Minister to afford adequate protection?— Yes. 70. Is that the only occasion on which you had an interview with Mr. Herdman ? —No. 71. When did you see him again ? —I saw him previous to that. 1 have not seen him since then. 72. You saw him once before the 24th May ? —Yes. 73. When?—l cannot recall. I think it was just after Easter. 74. That would be in the first fortnight in April. What was the object of your visit— the same thing?—No; it was in connection with certain police matters. 75. Nothing to do with this matter?— No. 76. At your interview of the 24th May did Mr. Herdman say anything which could be construed to give any encouragement to the continued distribution of this pamphlet?— The pamphlet was discussed, and the pamphlet had been submitted, and we were informed prior to seeing Mr. Herdman that the Department was not taking any action in the way requested by the Roman Catholics. 77. Were you not told by Mr. Herdman that it had been decided not to prosecute you?— Yes. 78. Nothing more than that?—No, in reference to the pamphlet. 79. Did not Mr. Herdman give you a serious warning against continuing your public utterances ?—No. 80. Are you sure?--Quite sure. Mr. Herdman said, "If you keep within the War Regulations you have a right to discuss any matter of public interest or of history." 81. Very well, then: is there not a war regulation within your knowledge which prevents people doing things or making statements calculated to excite hostility or ill will between certain classes of His Majesty's subjects?— Yes. 82. Mr. Herdman practically warned you not to transgress against those regulations?— But at the same time Mr. Herdman said that in discussing matters of history which could be proved 1 was within'my rights. Mr. Gray: Very well—so long as you do not transgress the War Regulations. Mr. Ostler: Give me the date of the regulations. Mr. Gray: The 4th December, 1916. 83. Mr. Gray.] This was tantamount to a warning not to transgress against the regulations. Did you havo any similar warning from Sir James Allen —Yes or No?— Sir James Allen's statement to me and his written communication in respect of the matter was not couched in that way al all. 84. Now, did not Sir James Allen in Auckland send for you?—No; I saw Sir James Allen at my request. 85. At your own request? —Yes. 86. Did not Sir James Allen give you a warning against continuing these meetings in this strain on the subject?— No. 87. What did he say?—He said it was advisable to be careful now in view of conditions. 88. If it was not a warning it was at least a free suggestion to you not to do things which might create trouble, and you so construed it? —Do not put words into my mouth. 89. His Worship.] That was the effect, though not the actual words? —Yes. 90. Mr. Gray.] Did you not even receive a more direct warning from the Superintendent of Police?— No. 91. Not from the Superintendent of Police? —No. 92. Not from any police officer ?—No. 9.'i. Quite sure?— Yes.