HOMELESS MEN SEIZE A HOUSE

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 120, 6 February 1923, Page 4

HOMELESS MEN SEIZE A HOUSE

CHARGE UNDER OLD STATUTES.

Charged under statuses of Richard IT and Henry VI with forcibly making entry into certain lands and tenements otherwise than whore entry is given by law, four men appeared before the Recorder at the Old Bailey in London recently (states the “Manchester Guardian”). Outlining the case for the prosecution. Air. Long said that the ease related to a house in Peckham, part of an estate in chancery, of which possession had been taken amongst others by the defendants, their wives and families, and although they had promised io give up possession they hail not done so. s “J mav add,” counsel sa'd. “that (his is indeed a hard ease. These men quite obviously took possession of the premises because they were homeless, and thev were unemployed.” A notice officer gave the men good characters, and Mr. Myles Elliott, for (he defendants, who pleaded guilty, said his clients at first thought- they were entitled to do what thev did. 'the Recorder: I daresay they have never heard of Richard H and Henry t'T. I do not want to think of these people having to go out in the world with nowdiere to go. Mr. Elliott: That is absolutely what It is. 1 cannot find out that these Doople have anywhere.to go if they are tv’md out of this house. The .Recorder was assured that the men acted onite independently, and did not intend a demonstration to show that there was no such things ps rights nf nropertv. He was glad to find that the men were not acting with those who were emleiivouriim to undermine the constitution bv direct action, or ho should have passed a heavv sentence. Tlie accused wore liable to three years’ li'ai'fT labour, but ho shoo'd merelv keep them in custodv until the next -cssions. Ho felt tint the” hail a sense of real grievance, and ho would suspend the order to give ur> possession of the house until January 1.