PACIFIST ADDRESS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 209, 5 September 1939, Page 12

PACIFIST ADDRESS.

SEQUEL IN COURT.

CLERGYMAN CHARGED. NO WISH FOR BAIL. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Monday. Described as members of the New Zealand Christian Pacifist Society, the Rev. Ormond Edward Burton, minister of the Webb Street Methodist Church, Mich'ael Young, printer, aged 22, and Neil Henry Trail, costing clerk, aged 21, appeared before Mr. J. L. Stout, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court at Wellington to-day charged with obstructing police officers in the execution of their duty. Burton was alleged to have obstructed Sub-Inspector D. J. O'Neill, and Young and Trail were alleged to have obstructed Sergeant J. McKie.

Sub-Inspector O'Neill asked for a remand until 10 a.m. on Wednesday. Burton, he said, was apparently the leader of the three, who were members of the New Zealand Christian Pacifist Society. The charge arose out of an address he had been giving to a crowd of between 200 and 300 people outside Parliament Buildings. The address was against recruiting, and when told to stop he said lie would go on to-morrow and everv dav throughout the war.

"I told him it was an inopportune time to make such an address to young men." said Mr. O'Neill.

The Magistrate (to Burton): Are you asking for hail?

Burton: No. I have no money avail able for the purpose.

Mr. O'Neill: It would not be a ques tion of bail.

The Magistrate: Tf von give an tindertaking not to address another meeting I am prepared to let you out.

Burton: I am not prepared to give that undertaking.

The Magistrate: Then I am afraid I cannot let von out. I do not know the circumstances of the case, but you will have to he careful you do not say anything seditious. or more serious charges might he made in these difficult times.

Young and Trail hoth stated that tliey, too. <1 id not wish to he bailed out.