ALLEGED INSULT

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11549, 28 January 1932, Page 5

ALLEGED INSULT

TRIAL OF “NEW GUARD" LEADER. NO EVIDENCE FOR DEFENCE FREEDOM OF SPEECH INVOLVED. (U.P.A. by Elec. Tel. Copyright)

(Received Jan. 27. 7.50 p.m.) SYDNEY, Jan. 27

When the prosecution of Colonel Campbell, leader of the New Guard, was resumed to-day. Mr. Lamb (defending counsel) intimated that he was calling no evidence for the defence owing to the magistrate’s ruling that tiie defendant was not, entitled to adduce' evidence t 0 prove tlie truth of any statement .charged against him. The magistrate (Air. Laidlaw) announced that he had received a large mail of anonymous letter? from aii kinds of political cranks. He hoped these would cease, as all met with the same fate, the waste-paper basket. 1

Mr. Lamb, arguing that, the vital principle of freedom of speech was involved in this prosecution, contended that the indictment was a piece of petty political persecution, found - ed in dishonor and supported bv evidence which wr>s supremely ridiculous. To say, as the police officers r -tid,_ they were insulted by Col. Campbell s speech, was pure moonshine. Mr Lamb claimed that, if Col. Campbell wa> convicted, it wou’d b<? risky for anyone to utter any criticism ot the leader cf nny Government under any circumstances.

Mr. Shoahan. who prosecuted, intimated that he took the full responsibility for the non-appearance of the Premier in response to the snbponae. on the ground that it wa s an attempt to abuse the processes of tho court.

. Later. The magistrate reserved his decision until Tuesdav.