P. C. WEBB ON TRIAL

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3080, 10 May 1917, Page 6

P. C. WEBB ON TRIAL

CROWDED COURT ACTING PRIME MINISTER IN THE BOX AN ADJOURNMENT Bj Telegraph.—Prosa Association. Christofiurch, May 9. The adjourned charges against i\ 0. Webb, ALP., of making seditious utterances on the '\Yest Coast in contraventiou of the Military .Regulations were called in the Police Court this morning. The Court was crowded. Webb conducted his own case. Mr. Raymond, for the Crown, said accused had subpoenaed the Acting Prime Miuister. Webb asked for another remand to fiive him time to prepare his defence, and Ret witnesses. Decision regarding an adjournment and' Sir James Allen's evidence was cut short by the Minister's arrival. The Court then adjourned till noon. When the Court resumed, Sir James Allen was examined by Webb regardins tho activities of accused in the settlement of the strike on tho West Coast. Accused questioned Sir James Allen minutely on his (accused's) dealing with Ministers during the recent visit, to the- Coast, and asked: "Did my conduct in any way" lead you to believe I had any desire or intention whatever of continuing the strike on. the question of conscription?" Sir James Allen: I think you were like a- good many others, persuaded that the conscription issue was not a Rood one, and that it wae wise to shift the battleground somewher'e else. Accused: Did you think at tho time that my influence was used in tho direction of shifting the issue from conscription ? Sir James Allen: As far as I could judge you were trying to induce the miners to shift the issue.from conscription to pay conditions and other things. "That is all I desire io ask Sir James," said accused in conclusion. "I have other evidence which I hope to bring forward next week to continue on similnr lines. ■ Mr. Raymond, Crown Prosecutor, said ho did not propose to ask witness any questions. It was needless to point out that all tho evidence was legally not relevant to the particular charge.' The Magistrate said he could not alter his decision in regard to bail. The case wns adjourned till May 19.