ALLEGED SUBVERSIVE STATEMENTS

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23051, 20 June 1940, Page 10

ALLEGED SUBVERSIVE STATEMENTS

* « TWO MEN COMMITTED • FOR TRIAL fPBESS ASSOCIATIOS TILEGBAM.) WELLINGTON, June 19. An analysis of what constituted sub* version as opposed to political criticism was argued between counsel and the Crown Prosecutor before Mr A. MGoulding, S.M., ■ after evidence was heard in a case in which Peter Wilfred George McAra was charged with making a subversive statement at a meet-' ing in the Trades Hall on May 19. Counsel (Mr W. P. Rollings) submitted that references to past actions and declarations of present political leaders was fair criticism which could not be construed as subversive. It was maintained for the Crown that whatever might have been said by the present leaders of the. Government in the past, they were to-day in charge of New Zealand’s war effort, and former words in the form of tations might be construed as si f” sive statements when again as a- quotation obviously v V ; the purpose of expressing the opinK Cp of the speaker himself. “Reference has been made to the effect that the speech was a political one and was attacking the present leaders politically,” said the Crown Prosecutor (Mr W. H. Cunningham! • “That, I submit, may be a very subtle form of subversion.” Referring to a reference to conscription* made by the speaker, the Magistrate remarked that conscription was not in force in this country at the time, and any strong criticism of conscription or intended conscription was permissible. The defendant, who pleaded not guilty, was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. - Bail was allowed. Douglas Murdoch Martin, similarly charged, was also committed for trial.