WOMAN’S APPEAL UPHELD

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23801, 21 November 1942, Page 6

WOMAN’S APPEAL UPHELD

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES CASE (P.A.) DUNEDIN, Nov. 20. An appeal by Nalda Alice McLean against her conviction by a magistrate on a charge of participating in the activities of a subversive organisation was upheld in the Supreme Court in a judgment by Mr Justice Kennedy, who stated that the appellant, a member of Jehovah's Witnesses, called at houses, ostensibly inviting those interested to read the Bible. Under cover of this it might possibly be inferred that she really engaged in propaganda. If there had been proof that what was done was an activity of the organisation, a conviction might be properly entered, he said. There was, however, no evidence as to what the organisation’s activities were, and no proof that this was one of its activities. It would seem to have been easy for anyone acquainted with the or.activities to depose to this, but no witness was asked any questions. As to the question whether the Court should take 'judicial notice of the method of approach as being an activity, of the organisation, Mr Justice Kennedy held that it was not so notorious that it could be taken judicial notice of, and there must be proof of it. In setting aside the conviction, His Honour added that the decision should not encourage the belief that what was done was in all the circumstances within the law.