THE SEDITION CASES.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16209, 11 May 1918, Page 10

THE SEDITION CASES.

PETITION FOR REMISSION OF

SENTENCES

In connexion with the movement for remission of the sentences on Langlev, Hunter, and Flood, the following petition is being placed in prominent positions in the city for signature by the public: "We, the undersigned, do hereby petition the Government of New Zealand that in the exercise of its clemency it would be a gracious act, taking all the circumstances into consideration, to remit the sentences recently. passed on Messrs E. E. Langley, J. Flood, and H. Hunter." It is accompanied by the request, "Will you sign?"

.MEETING OF WATERSIDERS. A very largely-attended meeting of the Lyttelton Waterside Workers' Union was held in the Coronation Hall yesterday morning to elect a- president and secretary for the period of six months until E. E. Langley and J. Flood are released from prison. Mr W. Bates, vice-president of the union, presided. Tha election resulted in Mr Bates being chosen as president, and Mr T. Armstrong secretary. After the meeting (to which Press representatives were not admitted) Mr Armstrong stated that the only information he could give was that ' the following resolution had been carried unanimously:— "That this union views with alarm tlie unjust and outrageous sentences passed on Mfessrs Langlejr, Mood, and Hunter for alleged sedition; we consider them a Jlirect attack upon organised Labour, and demand the immediate release of the men: that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Prime Minister, the Minister of Justice, and also to the newspapers." Another resolution expressed sympathy with the wives and dependants of the imprisoned men, and pledged the organisation to support the dependants financially until the release of the men.

Mr J. A. Robertson (secretary of the Waterside Workers' Federation), who arrived by the ferry steamer Mararoa yesteday morning, addressed the meeting.