MAXIMUM TERM

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 118, 12 February 1941, Page 9

MAXIMUM TERM

Year’s Jail Sentence For Subversion WEIR HOUSE JANITOR

Comments By Mr. Justice

Johnston

The seriousness of imperilling, by subversive propaganda, the lives of men serving in the forces was referred to by Mr. Justice Johnston in the Supreme Court, Wellington, yesterday, when sentencing Edward Harrison, aged 44, janitor at Weir House, to the maximum term of 12 months’ hard labour. Harrison was found guilty last week of being in possession of six copies of the “Tribune,” described as successor to the “People’s Voice,” and three copies of “Peace and Socialism,” witii a view to facilitating the distribution of subversive statements.

Mr. E. Parry, who appeared for prisoner, made a plea for probation. Prisoner, he said, had served in the Great War for about five years, three of which had been spent on active service. After the war lie had come to New Zealand, and had gone to sea for some years. zVll his discharges had been marked “very good.” Except for a trivial motoring offence, he had never been iu trouble of any knd, and the probation officer had reported that his conduct and general character had been excellent. Harrison had been called up for service in the present war and had expressed his willingness to undergo a minor operation to bring him to the required medical standard. Students’ Resolution. Counsel produced a certificate from students at Weir House, iu which it was stated that a motion had been passed unanimously by the students at a public meeting that, though the meeting disapproved of the offences alleged against Harrison, lie had never, by word or action, attempted to disseminate subversive propaganda among Weir House students. “In my view the offence is one of very grave importance,” said his Honour, in passing sentence. “I think the jury took that view, aud the jury has taken that view in previous offences of this nature. They know that when a conviction is recorded for an offence against the safety of the State, unless steps are taken promptly to curb it, it. is likely to recur again and again. “It is an offence against the safety of the State, and it Is accentuated when it is committed by men like yourself of good character, who, by virtue of that character, can obtain and hold good positions, positions which form an excellent, starting-place for the distribution of propaganda of this kind. Gravity of Offence Stressed.

“You yourself, and no one better, I think —taking into account the fact of your previous service, your war service and service as a seaman —must realize the gravity of the offence in the eyes of all those entrusted with the safety of the State In time of war.

“I think you yourself, in a sense, would not respect a sentence that was not sufficiently severe if an action detrimental to the safety of the State has been found by a jury. The offence is one meriting punishment, and it will receive it. The articles to which you gave facilities for distribution amount not merely to the dissemination of subversive ideas; they amount in all to a call for subversive action. That was the tone of them, and subversive ideas, when translated into action, would imperil, as you must have known, the safety of seamen, airmen and men In the land forces.

“The maximum penalty that. I am entitled to impose is 12 months’ imprisonment, and I think myself that is a light sentence for such an action.” Mr. W. R. Birks appeared for the Crown.