VERDICT OF GUILTY

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 113, 6 February 1941, Page 10

VERDICT OF GUILTY

Publication Of Subversive Statements

(By Telegraph—Dress Association.)

AUCKLAND. February 5.

Charges of publishing subversive statements or of facilitating their publication were preferred in the Supreme Court, today against Philip Leslie Hardcastle, carpenter, aged 32. The ctise was heard by Mr. Justice Fair. .Mr. G. Meredith represented the Crown.

Accused was charged will) publishing :) subversive statement, namely a paper sticker bearing the words: "No more troops for overseas. New' Zealand cotiios first." He was furtiter charged with having in his possession a number of these stickers and finally with having a certain pamphlet entitled "Forward" with a view to publishing subversive statements It contained. The accused, who pleaded not guilty, conducted his own defence.

Statements read from "Forward’' indicated that it was denouncing the war. and particularly the Dominion's part, in it. Mr. Meredith said on fihe night of December 5 accused and another nit'n v. ere watched by two constables placing these stickers on prominent places in .Customs Street.

Accused, addressing the jury, claimed that the sticker was not against the national interest and said the slogan was merely reasonable criticism. He had throe brothers in the armed forces in Britain and he had been rejected for military service. A verdict of guilty wa"s returned b.v the jury after a short retirement.