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PASSIVE RESISTANCE.

REFUSE TO SERVE THKIft OOTJNTK3C

A BATCH OF FOKTY YOUTHS.

About 40 youths were brought forward ia batches of ten at the Police Court yesterday afternoon, before Mr. E. C Cutten, charged with having failed without lawful excuse to render service in accordance with the requirements of the Defence Act. Some of the number gave sufficiently satisfactory reasons for their neglect to cause the Magistrate to adjourn their cases till the 20th inst. in order that they might comply with the Art in the meantime. A good many pleaded and received, in silence, orders to pay fines of £2 each, with costs 9/. Othens, however, were distinctly defiant, and, with jaunty air, declared that they would rather go to gaol than pay the fines imposed. This section was mostly composed of young men who sported, with some degress of arrogance, badges erf red, with gold tinted lettering, "P.R.U.", which, being interpreted, stands for 'Passive Resisters' Union."' Much to their apparentchagrin, however, the Magistrate nipped in the bad any attempts to air their opinions of the Defence Act. Neither would his Worshop satisfy the curiosity of one or two in the direction of informing them what the alternative would be" The greatest stir, so far as the Court would allow of such. wa.= created by a «l«rk named George Walker Bell, aged 21. who pleaded "Not guiltv " The first question put by him in cross examination to Capt. Hawkins, the principal witness for the derfence. was: "Are you in a position to tell how many youths in this country have failed to register?"

The Magistrate: That is not a matter which you are entitled to question the witness about.

The Defendant: It is part and parcel of the whole ma.tter. I *-ee I am not to ret a hearing. The defendant then entered the wit-ness-box. and asserted his intention to stand by his principles. Wben railed to order he bounced otrt of the bn\. wirh Ibe declaration. "I refuse to Wrnp part and parcel of a liut coercion marh.n* The Magistrate: That -will do. The Court, ha-s notbine to do with anvtnina o-itside the reouirrvmen** of tb« Act You tril] be convicted, arid fined £2 and costs. The defenda-nt: Wo.it are the rost=' The Clerk of the Court: Nine f-h.: lin<?s The Defendant- Wei', as far ns I am concerned, your Worship, I shan't pay. Returning to the defondant'; box a moment or two later the reeUfing one said. "Excuse me. vour Worship, but what U the option?" The Magistrate: 7 have not amthm? to pay to you. You may po file went.) Another hold youth (one of the red bad<?e brigadei. who, -when his name "was called, with the nwtnmarv sole-n-nitv o| the Court, res»ponded with something in the nature of "What, ho!" as he advanced np the Court, cried out in blatant tones, alter the inrpoeition of rhe fine. "A* far as I am concerned. I don't intend to pay any fine. I would sooner go to eaol."

Another came back from amonsr a hatch of receding defendants to inform his Worship that be would not. pav anv flue. "I would." he added, "rather go to gaol than do it."

For some time afterwards mtite a number of them lingered ont.= ide the Cocrt, dou'btWs to discu.ss ways and means of furtherinrr the plan of campaign of the Passive Registers* Union. X'p to mid-day to-dav none of the in youths who were fined had paid J hem. Should they persist in their failure to do so. warrants of distress and commitment will doubtless prompllv iss«ue from the Court.

One of tbe lads remarked to a "'Star " reporter, •* the close of the court proceedings. - We win go to gaol all right. They oan only put us there once. They gaoled young Cooke at Christcburch a second time, hut had to let him out.''

TWO MEX IMPBJBOXEJDREFU3ED TO PAT FECES. (By Telegraph.—Press Association ) CSIUSTCHURCIH. Thursday. There were two further arrests thh morning for failure to pay fines inflicted for breaches of the Defence Act. Edward Henry Ed-wards, who failed to pay a fine snd coats amounting to £2 10/, was taken to Lytteltan to work out the alternative of 21 days' imprisonment. Walter James Hooper, who failed to pay a similar fine, was taken in charge for a similar term. It is understood that warrants are out for the arrest for five others, who have committed breaches of the Act and failed to submit to the penalties inflicted by the magistrate. REXJGIOL'S OBJECTIONS. TTME INOPPORTUNE. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) CHBI-STCHURCH, this day. Fines were imposed this morning on another hatch of youth? charged with failure to obey the De-fence Act. Giving reserved judgment in cases in which conscientious and religions objections were raised. Mr. Bailey, S.M.. said the question of religion would not arise till the men were pot to service. It was the duty of everyone to register and take the oath, bat the defence authorities could consider religions objections later. Fines were imposed. Counsel for the defenre indicated that an appeal was probable.

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19120308.2.44

Bibliographic details

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 59, 8 March 1912, Page 6

Word Count
845

PASSIVE RESISTANCE. Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 59, 8 March 1912, Page 6

PASSIVE RESISTANCE. Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 59, 8 March 1912, Page 6