PROTEST AFTER S.M.’s BAN

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32382, 22 August 1970, Page 44

PROTEST AFTER S.M.’s BAN

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, August 21. About 100 students stood chanting in the rain outside the Magistrate’s Court in Wellington today after they had been ordered from the No. 2 court by Mr J. A. Wicks, S.M. They listened to short speeches from student leaders and left after about 10 minutes. The students, many of whom are in Wellington from other universities for the student arts festival, had packed the No. 2 court to hear a charge brought under the National Military Service Act against a 21-year-old student, Bruce Victor Preston. However, when the hearing began at 10 a.m.. the Magistrate adjourned proceedings for five minutes and ordered

that the court be cleared of all spectators except a number which could be conveniently accommodated. “There are far too many people in this courtroom for the efficient administration of justice,” he said. "1 adjourn for five minutes, ask you all to leave, and then the number who can he conveniently accommodated can be let in.” The students then gathered downstairs. The case again’ l Reston, who is charged " to comply with a directive to present himself 10 optician for an examination after his selection for , Ser " vice, was adjourned for one week. No plea " as taken.