SEDITION CASES.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16218, 22 May 1918, Page 6

SEDITION CASES.

HUNTER. LAXGLET, AXI> FLOOD TO BE EEEE.ASED". SFKETIES REQUIRED FOR GOOI> BEHAVIOUR. (SPECIAL TO "TJIK rRESS.") WELLINGTON, 3lay 21. The Acting-Prime Minister gave to the Press to-day the following statement of the decision of Cabinet regarding the men, Hunter; Flood, nnd Langley, who were sentenced io terms of imprisonment for having uttered sedition in Christchurcli: — Hunter was sentenced to imprisonment for three months, and the other two men for six months. The sedition was contained in a resolution drafted by Flood, proposed at a meeting in Christr.hurch. under the auspices of tho Second J>ivision League by Langley, and seconded ly Hunter. The resolution was accepted by tho chairman of the meeting, who was Mr Holland, the Mayor of Christclnireh, nnd it was carried by tho meeting, several petitions and resolutions were submitted to tho Government asking for tho release of the men imprisoned. These appeals wero considered by the Government today, and the following is the decision of the Government:—

The Government has given careful consideration to the petitions for remission of the sentences imposed on these men, and to the representations made on their behalf. It is necessary in tho firs'. place to dispose of the suggestion tlmt tho sentences were excessive. Tho Government- considers that the observations of the Magistrate when pronouncing judgment were entirely justified by tho facts proved, and that considering the nature and circumstances of tho offence, the sentences were lenient. Tho I matters now urged upon the Government may be appropriate to tho cxercise of clemency by the Crown, but are quite foreign to the considerations by which the Magistrate was properly guided in liis decision. Tho only circumstance which weighs with the Government- in favour of the prayer for lemission is tbat ths seditious nature of tho resolution drafted by Flood, pro. posed by Langley, and seconded by Hunter, was not obvious to tho Mayor, who presided; to tho public men on the platform, who abstained from protest; or to tho large numbor of persons who voted in favour of tho motion when put by the Mayor. If proof could have been obtained of active participation by other persons, tho prosecution would have been instituted against others as well as agninst tho three prisoners, but, proof sufficient for a criminal case was on.'v available against the three. The Government are willing to give credence to the statements that tho three prisoners did not appreciate the full naturo and effect of their actions, but tho men have been justly sentenced, and 't is most neccssary that sedition ,-hould be sternly suppressed during the war, and that no one should be led to supposo .that such practices may bo indulged in with impunity. For that reason the Government cannot advise his Excellency to exercise tho Crown's prerogative of clemency unoorditit nally: they must require .a condition that each of tho men shall enter into a bond with two sufficient sureties, each in tho sum of £oU, to bo of good behaviour for a period of twelve months, and especially during that period to abstain front-all acts and utterances having any seditious tendency. Upon i those conditions being accepted and the neccssary bonds duly executed, tho Government is prepared, under the spccial circumstances of thtf case, and having regard to the representations made by citizens of Christchurch 3 whose loyalty is beyond question, to advise the release of the three prisoners.

Tt must bo understood that this is not to constitute a precedent, and that in future no excuse will be allowed in mitigation of the full punishment which must follow such incitement to any class of the cdpiriiiiiity to refuse obedience to the law, or tlie commission by any person of any' act which may tend to embarrass the Government and tho country in the duo prosecution of tho war. '

Sir James Allen made the following addition to the statement: "These men are going to be released on their finding sureties, and not until they find the The carrying out of this may occupy a few days. I want it to l)e understood that if there should he delay, it will not he because we are trying to create difficulties; it will be because the thing must bo prooerly done and the sureties must be satisfactory." THE CHAPPLE CASE. Sir James Allen said that tho Government had not dealt with tho case of the man Chappie. "That case," he said, "is not in tho same category as these others. He will' receive no consideration whatever at tho hands of the Government. I can assure vou of that."