WAR REGULATIONS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3178, 31 August 1917, Page 5

WAR REGULATIONS

ATTORNEY-GENERAL IN DEFENCE "POTSDAM SYMPATHISERS;" War Regulations were mentioned in the House of Representatives yesterday in connection with tho petition of Oliver Noakes, an Auckland watersido worker, who was sentenced to eleven months' imprisonment by a Magistrate on a charge of having spoken Insultingly to a fellowworker. Noakes appealed successfully to tho Supremo Court, and was released alter three months' imprisonment. He has now petitioned Parliament for. compensation, and the M to 2 Petitions Committee yesterday recommended the claim to the favourable consideration of the Govornmont. Auckland members of tho House spoke in support of the claim, and 6tated that Noakes was a respectable man, who had boon over-severely punished for a few angry words. Labour members took tho opportunity to protest against the War Regulations -under which Noakes had been prosecuted. Tiio Attorney-General (Hon. A. L. HoTdman) said the Government would pTvo careful consideration to the petition. Tiio foots wero that the proceedings against Noakes had been initiated by ono of his fellow-worltmen, not IJJ tho Government, and hearH by an impartial and independent Magistrate. Reference had been made in the courso of the debate to the War Regulations. The Government had power in time of war to mako regulations for tho defence of New Zealand, for the. snfety of New Zealand, and for the effecEvo prosecution of the war. Would any member of tho House I say that the Government should not have this power? Mr. J. Payne (Grey Lynn): Ton should not have the power. You don't know how to use it. Mr. Herdmarf said tho only people who had reason to fear the War Regulations were those who wished to hamper the Government in tho prosecution of the war, or who had more sympathy for the persons at Potsdam than for the British Empire. He would.be satisfied to have the country judge for itself the character of the people who wero against tho War Regulations. ' "While we are engaged in a great war, while 75,000 of our men are away fighting, while we are struggling to send ft way tfie produce required for the armies and people of tho United Kingdom, is it to be" contended that 'any men in this country are to be allowed to stop our ships getting away, to stop food reaching England, and stop supplies reaching our troops P" asked Mr. Herdaian. "There is no tyranny or despotism like the tyranny of the mob who would interfere with the dispatch of 6hips and wiiji the efforts of tho people of New Zealand to win the war. There is 110 tyranny like that. I shall take a later opportunity of dealing fully with this' subject, and I shall then read to tho Houso a choice selection from seditious speeches that have been made in this country. Members will be surprised when lliey hear what has been 6aid." Mr. R. M'Callum (AVairau) said that the members who had attacked the Government in ■ connection with tho War Regulations had 6imply dono harm to the petitioner's cause. Mr. Payne: You are becoming a professional crawler. The Prime Minister: I cannot let that pass. I heard tho member for Grey Lynn call the member for Wairau a "D rofessional crawler.* Mr. Payne: I said ho was becoming one. * The Speaker: The honourable gentleman must withdraw tho words and express regret. He is continually interrupting the business of the House. . Mr. Payne: , I withdraw and express regret.