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Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 251, 19 October 1912, Page 5

J. O'Brien said: "I mean to keep calling it as long as I live. All my life I have been trying to emancipate my fellow workers from the toils of the capitalist." Another defendant said that the only to get a man-made law repealed uras by doing what they were now doing. His Worship said that the present law would not -be changed. Each defendant when charged pleaded "Not guilty," but called no evidence. OFFENSIVE FOLLOWING. Charges of offensive following were then taken. Defendants were charged that they did follow certain persons about the public street of Waini in an-of-fensive and threatening manner for the purpose of annoyance and provocation. The names of defendante are: Charles Opie (a prominent strike leader), Edward Armstrong, Charles Gardiner, David McGinnity, J. Whelan, and D. McKane. The case against Whelan was adjourned, defendant being laid up with measles. McKane pleaded not guilty, but called no evidence. He was 'bound over to keep the peace in the usual bond and sureties, but elected to go to gaol. The Court then adjourned till 9 a.m on Saturday. BOUND FOR GAOL. During the day 20 men in all decided to undergo imprisonment, and these were lodged in the lock-up. When the Court adjourned a large number of women and men congregated outside the police station, and "demonstrated" in the orthodox manner, the scenes being similar to those witnessed in connection with the first series of strike prosecutions. TWO MORE COMMITTED FOR OFFENSIVE CONDUCT. (Ej Telegraph.- -Own Correspondent) WAIHI, this day. When the Court resumed this mornng, the charges against Opie, Armitrong, Gardiner, and McGinnity, for aleged offensive conduct in following up Michael Rudd (a miner) on the 2nd inst., were taken. Inspector Wright appeared for the police, and each defendant conducted his own case, and cross-examined at considerable length, the questions being principally of a personal nature, and ehieily directed to show that Rudd was a particularly bad offender in the eyes of the union, having received strike pay practically up to the time of going to work on Wednesday, 2nd inst., drawing his last pay on the Monday previous. The word "scab" was used frequently and the magistrate had to stop the introduction of irrelevant matter.

The magistrate dismissed the cases against MeGinnity and Armstrong, <nvin* them the benefit of the doubt. H? held that Opie and Gaidiner were guilty of offensive following, and ordered them to enter into the usual recognisance, and pay costs. Both defendants said they had no intention of paying costs. Opie protested that ho was , marked, and that a "set" wan being made against the socalled leaders. Inspector Wright denied the allegation, stating that Opie and others had taken a prominent part in the demonstration. As a matter of fact, the recognised leader in Waihi (representing the Federation) had not been interfered with because so far he had kept within the law.

Both defendants were then taken into custody, and the usual demonstration occurred outside the Court as they passed to the lock-up.

Mmtthew Kitluz, charged with usin<* insulting lan<run£fi, waß bound over in the usual Hlirotios, and taken into custody Tins concluded the present Court sitting Twenty-three strikers a r<; now in custody.

At the conclusion o f the Court sittin-r <hp Magistrate briefly addressed ih'r , strikers. He said it Wn s a painful duty to have tr> deal with men and see them a eoing to gaol. Thr law in one aspect was - hko a shield; on the other hand, it was like a cannon, which certain officials had •to fire when necessary. He could not - alter its aim—that was done by Parliament. He would ask them to keep out of range Thrre was mo reason to show protest against the free labourers by r booing or calling out "Scab." a much letter way to show protest was by silent contempt. He ndvisej them to adopt this method, biit would much prefer to see them friends.