SEDITION-MONGER SENTENCED

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2977, 15 January 1917, Page 4

SEDITION-MONGER SENTENCED

i _ MAGISTRATE'S COMMENT YEAR'S GAOL FOR "VIOLENT? SPEECH" In the Magistrate's Court on Saturday morning Wm. Parker was sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment for making a seditious speech in Post Office Square on AVednesday last. When Parkers's speech was read to him he asked that a certain addition should be made, and that was done. Ho was then asked: "Is there any other alteration you want?" Parker: There is a little bit of disi crepancy thero about Germany, but you can chuck that in. It is sedition, and that is what J. want. The Magistrate: That is what you. want I Parker: Yes. ■ . The Magistrate: Do you plead guilty now to the information? Parker: Yes. Mr. P. S. K. Macassey (Crown Solicitor) said the information was laid i under the War Regulations Act, and carried a penalty of £10(1 or twelve months' imprisonment. The- speech was delivered in Post Office Square at the lunch hour on Wednesday last, in the presence of watersiders. It was a very violent speech. This speech was more violent than anything for which other men had been sentenced. Parker had been sentenced to_ a. yea.T'3 imprisonment on the occasion of the 1913 strike. Parker: Wrong! Mr. Macassey:-Am I wrong? Parker: Yes. Seven month. Mr. Macassey: Oh—very well. Parker: And convicted _ against ths evidence. It was false evidence. The Magistrate asked Parker if he had anything to say. Parker: No. These were my sentiments. I don't know what the sentence is going to he. but if I knew it was going to be heavy I would not try to alter it.. It 'is my class against yours. .You are her© to give me the grnelling, and I am here to take it. Tlie Magistrate: The man who delivers a speecb like this in a crowded , thoroughfare of a big city must be taken to intend to induce his fellow- '■ workers to take part in a. riot. 1 Parker: That is a wrong inference. The Magistrate; My.turn now. That is the only fair conclusion one can come to 'hv reading the speech as a whole. The working class -equally with every other class in this community has a chance of getting control of the political machine. I take it that in this case .it js suggested that if the state of affairs does not Euit them they have "a right to set up a condition of anarchy in the State. That . is a thing that cannot be conceded to any class—l don't care whioh it i*. You are convicted and sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment. "Ta-ta," said Parker. Ho waved and left the dock.