Referring tothe charge of cannibalism now pending against the survivors of the ill-fated yacht Mignonette, the law Journal says; — "The story of the yaught Mignonette raises no legal objection about which there can be any real doubt. English law does not recognise necessity as an excuse for crime. Hunger is no defence for a charge of larceny, still less is it a defence to a charge of murder. Tiiere is authority m the books for saying that if two drowning men grasp a plank which will only support one it is not homecide for one to push the other off. This is looked upon as a sort of act of self-defence, and is as far as the law goes m admitting the plea of necessity. Ordinarly. necessity m English law means compulsiou by threats of life and limb."
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Manawatu Standard, Volume VIII, Issue 147, 2 December 1884, Page 2
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138Untitled Manawatu Standard, Volume VIII, Issue 147, 2 December 1884, Page 2
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