TO THE FOOT OF THE THRONE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1158, 20 June 1911, Page 5

TO THE FOOT OF THE THRONE.

« THE FATE OF TAHI KAKA. MEETING AT DUNEDIN. DECISION OF CABINET DEPLORED. (By Telegraph—Press ABBOclatlon.l Ouncdin, Juno 19. A meeting of citizens was held at tlio Town Ilnll this morning to consider tlio Bontcnoo passed upon Ta'ii Kalta and tho oclion ot the Government in deciding that tlio law must take its course. Tho meeting was convened by the Mayor (Mr. Burnett), at the request of several prominent citizens. Tlicro wero about twenty gentlemen present, and tho Mayor presided. Mr. Burnett said ho was entirely in sympathy with the object of the meeting. Tho Government had precedent for mercy in tlio ease of Lionel Terry, uu educated man, who committed a (erriblo murder upon an inoffensive alien. Was ho hanged? Then, why should this Maori ravugo bo hanged merely bceauso Europeans had neglected to do their plain duty? Mr. Denniston said that lie would content himself with moving the following resolution to bo tigned by i.Jio Mayor niltt forwarded to tho Actinu-Primo Minister: — "That this meeting, representing, it-, believes, the public sentiment of this part of tlio Dominion, strongly deplores tho decision of the Cabinet not to grant a rcpricvo from tho capital sentence to the condemned youth. This meeting would plead and respectfully urge on tho Cabinet a rccon?i3oration of the case, and while recording its abhorrence of tho crime and disclaiming all sympathy with tho criminal, it submits that, whilo other reasons might be urged, it bases its claim for clemency mainly on account of tlio extreme youth of tlio convict. It seems to this meeting (hat Kaka's execution would bo an act in direct conflict with humanitarian and reformative policy initiated by your Government and approved by tho country, and a reversion to tho practice of earlier part of last century when the law and public opinion sanctioned tho putting to death of young people of tender years.

"(Signed) W. BURNETT." Mr. J. M. Gallaway seconded tho motion. Ho said the Government had very properly initiated I lie humanitarian system of dealing with crime, and it would bo ghastly comment on that system if this Uoy wero to sudor capital punishment. It was true that this was a terrible crime, which had raised the strongest feeling of indignation, but tho law of England should not stoop to revenge, and it seemed to him that if this unfortuuato boy voro hanged it would be lowering tho. dignity of British law. Ho believed that oil no. previous occasion had tho recommendation of a jury been entirely overlooked. They had not heard the Judge's views, but lie submitted that as far as Constitution was concerned even if tho Judge's view was in conflict with that of tho jury, great weight should bo given to the expressed opinion of tho latter. Mr. M. Cohen said he hoped many such, meetings would be held in tho Dominion, but ho questioned if tho resolution went far enough. He doubted if representations to the Government would have tho hoped-for effect, and if not a petition for mercy should bo carried to tho Prime Minister and even to the foot of tho Throne. At this period Royal clemency would bo extended in every part of tho Empire, and it was a caso where it might bo asked for here. Quito recently there had been a cruel case in Australia, in which a foreigner murdered his mato and burnt tho body. Tho Crown had reprieved tho man, and given him a life sentence. Again, there had been a caso in South Africa where tho Exccutivo had condemned a native to death, and tho Clown had interposed, and saved his life, although there had been an dutcry. Tho Hon. J. T. l'aul, M.L.C., said tho Maoris had got from civilisation littlo but its worst., and when they remembered tho comparatively few years that separate ed tho Native from savagery, it ought to be'clear that lie should,bo.shown greater clcmency than the white man. Personally, ho believed that if it had been ft white youth ho would never have been hanged in this country. Tho Rev. G. IC. Smith 6aid lie was oplioscd to capital punishment in any caw, Imt apart from that, there wero circumstances in connection with this caso winch convinced liini that bad tlio murderer been white tho punishment would never have been earned out. The Rev. Dr. Waddell said it was inexplicable that tho Government should persist in the course that was reprobated by • the general sense and feeling of the whole Dominion. They all deplored tho murder committed, but it would bo a poor act to avenge that murder by Miunntting another, and he felt strongly that to hang this boy would bo to commit murder under tho sanction of justice. Mr. A. C. Hanlon said ho had a strong aversion to the execution of a boy of 17 vears, whether ho was black or white, and whether his heart was black or white. On the evidence, as published, the juiy might readily have brought in a verdict of manslaughter, and if they had _ their recommendation would ha\o been ignored they would have done so ; Tho jury wero the tribunal that tried tlio guilt of man, and also measured his .milt, and if they found the Guvcrnmcnt or Judges were going to ignore their verdicts, there would be mnnjr miscarriages of justice. He thought the Cabinet should 1)0 given to understand that they must recognise any recommendation made> byb, sacrifice, but apparently tho Lxecutne tlioucht in this eaw it did. _ • Tho motion was carried unanimouslj. Mr. Callaway suggested that a copy of tlio resolution be sent to tho ninjois of tho principal towns in the Dominion, with n view to seeking their co-operation. '"iv Bct'E'Sili oil It SIMM to clearly understood that if Uio Cabinet we" not prepared to listen, tho people intended to go to tho highest power with their litition. The mayor should be isked to call a meeting in a public hall in the evening time, B^ a3 could be agreed upon, -lb's nLo and Council have sent tho following telegram to the earnest!v urge the reprieve of Tain knka. -Brcen, secretary.

"GLAD TO CO.OPERATE," In connection with tlio agitation obfnfn n renrieve for tho Maon muidcrer, M i Kaka"a telegram from lie Mayor of Duuedin, forwarding Hie resolution carricd at the Dunedin meeting, was lecened bv tlio Mayor of Wellington yosto'"l.. • "Tlio .Acting-Mayor (Councillor J. Smith) dispatched the following reply "Telegram received and handed to proi. 1 shall be glad to co-operate with vou in the movement. Ha\o already waited on tho, Acting-l'nn e Minister, with others in deputation, to urge clcmcncj*. "(Sißiicd) JOHN 7 SMITIi, "Actinß-Moyor. • A CABLE TO THE KING. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) Auckland, Juno 19. Archdeacon Calder telegraphed to the Governor to-day asking linn to cable to tlio King asking for Coronation cloiucucy to bo extended to Tahi Kaka. Tho following cablegram has been sent by Mr. E. G. Jellicoe lo his Majesty tlio ''"Your dutiful subject .lollicoe, of English Bar, most humbly, implores your Majesty at your Coronation to extend your gracious' elcmency and commute (ho sentence upon Kaka, a Maori lad of 17, now lving under sentence death, Auckland. "I assure your Majesty the lad's neglected upbringing and evil environment are alone responsible for his crime, and all Dominion will hail with delight vour Majesty's action in matter.- Your illustrious father was pleased, 11 years ago, at my instance, lo pardon whito Now Zealander, and his action will never be forgotten hero." feeling at WHANGAREI, Whangarei, June 19. Great satisfaction is felt here at tho decision of tlio Executive. Kalca has l>ccn known hero all his life, and tho decision to vindicato tho low is considered noo.essary to whito- (Koplo in lonely vlaccfc