SEDITION CHARGES

Evening Post, Volume XCIII, Issue 98, 25 April 1917, Page 8

SEDITION CHARGES

THE CASE AGAINST JONES

EXPLANATION REGARDING A CABLE MESSAGE.

(IT TIHBMMI.—MI*6S ASSOCIATION.)

AUCKLAND, 24th April.

At the trial of John Jones, president of the Coalminers' Federation, charged with conspiring to. encourage a seditious strike at Taupiri mines, Sub-Inspector M'llveney gave evidence of the arrest of defendant and others at Huntly, the search of houses and the union offices, and the seizure of documents. Defendant gave every assistance. Jordan, another defendant, : admitted, having written andj posted a notice alt the Extended pithead on 28th February. Mr. SiDger, for defendant, asked permission to make an explanation which' his clients were anxious to' have made respecting correspondence dealing with the Australian strike. Mr. Meredith in his opening address had made a strong point of a cablegram sent to Australia, signed "Arbuclde," and stating: " Have granted New Zealand- Government permission." Prosecuting counsel suggested that the body of which Arbuckle was the mouthpiece, was acting as a superior body to the New. Zealand Government, and that the destinies of New Zealand were not controlled by a representative Government, but by a select coterie known as the Coalminers' Federated Union. As a matter of fact, when Mr. Meredith made that.part of his address, he was not aware of tho circumstances under which the cablegram was sent. The matter was of importance to the miners, and they wished it to be known that they did not usurp the functions of the executive Government, but 'that the transactions and cablegrams between Arbuckle and the Australian miners weTe carried out and sent with the consent and knowledge of the New Zealand Government. More than that, they were sent at the expense of the New Zealand Government. What might be known as the " permission cable" to Australia was written in the presence and at the request of tho Minister of Justice, and sent away by the Minister or one of his secretaries. The wording of the telegram was decided by the parties in. conference, including the Hon. J. Hanan, and it was written!by one of Mr. Hanan's 'secretaries.

Sub-Inspector M'llveney, proceeding, read telegrams and letters found in 1 the defendants' possession relating to matters of the federation. Among the .documents were a series of telegrams and letters, signed by Arbucklo, in which the* 1 policy of restriction was frequently referred to as the subject of a ballot by tho West Coast mines, -and the eventual agreement of all the miners there except thosa of Millerton to the adoption of " restriction."

The case was proceeding when tho Court adjourned.