A CHANGE AND WHY.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 281, 25 November 1921, Page 6

A CHANGE AND WHY.

AN ECHO OF THE STRIKE. (.B.T Telegraph. — Parliamentary IReporter.) WELLINGTON", Thursday. When the petition of W. H. John-tone, formerly of Auckland, but now of Wellington, was before the House this afternoon half a dozen members protested Wvat after the Special Committee hadi rewmmended favourable cons-ide rait ion of the case for no lc?s than five consecutrp years, the present committee went bade on that report, ami recommended consideration only. The petitioner asked for compensation for wrongful arrest ami expenses incbTred in defending a eh.i.rsje of obscene language, an aftermath of the strike. Two trials were held at the Supreme Court, in which the juries failed to aarec. The Jud<;e considered a third trial unwarranted. It was explained hv Mr. MeXicol, to the amusement of the Hou.-e. that as nothing had resulted from a favourable recommendation for five years, a change was decided upon; while the chairman of the committee sa.id that for the first time the po-'iee had .been represented at the hearing and their argument was the reason for the different attitude.