The Case of Lionel Terry

Manawatu Standard, 22 November 1905, Page 5

The Case of Lionel Terry

His Statement

In the course of his statement to the jury, Lionel Terry, who was sentenced to death, at Wellington yesterday for murdering a Chinaman, justified his action, which he denied was the result of mental aberration. He said further): — " My action was the result of careful deliberation, and was impelled by merciful considerations for all concerned.

"In choosing as an example an old and crippled man, I realised that my purpose would be accomplished without the sacrifice of one whose existence was other but a painful burden. By thus quenching a flame which was alreadj' flickering towards extinction, .1 have not only conferred a merciful deliverance upon a world-weary man but have also benefited those amongst whom he was living and the country generally. The deed, in fact, belongs to a higher phase of enlightenment than civilisation has yet attained.

" Several years of careful study in various parts of the world have convinced me that the necessity for the complete and absolute separation of- the races is imperative, and that the danger which threatens this colony in common with other British possessions in consequence of the prevailing ignorance of this fact is a very grave danger. My convictions upon the subject are fixed and unalterable, and during the four years I have resided m this country I have endeavoured by every means in my power to arouse the people from the state of callous indifference into which they have fallen. .My [efforts have included writing to the press, interviewing those holding responsible or influential 7)osition>, and publishing pamphlets for free distribution throughout ti;e British possessions."

He contended that the law relating to murder did not apply to aliens. Terrry continued as follows :— For the purpose of making my conditions clear I have embodied it in the three following rults :— '

" (1) That whereas the British law is the law of a nation consti-

tilting a portion of the white race,

and whereas the laws of all races are moulded according to the different characteristics oF their respective nationalities, all of which vary materially one from another, therefore, inamuch as it is naturally impossible for the people of two distinct races to possess the same characteristics, so therefore it must be equally impossible for the laws of the people of one race to beneficially control and govern those of another.

"(2) And as the laws of a nation representing a portion of one race cannot be applied to people forming a portion of another race,'there* fore it must necessarily be unlawful for people of two or more distinct races to dwell together in the sams. country,.

"(3) Therefore there can be no law which accords protection to, or in any way recognises the presence of, or refers to unnaturalised race aliens in British possessions, and my reply to the charge that I killed this alien contrary to the form of the statute in such case made and provided is that the Chinaman, being a race-alien, was not a man within the meaning of the form of the statute in such case made and provided.

" In concluding my statement I wish

to express the hope that the decision of this case may not take the form of a half measure ; such methods of dealing with important cases are cowardly, and are usually productive of infin-

itely more harm than good. If I am held to be right, I claim my freedom"; if I am held to be wrong, I' shall have failed in my purpose, and I demand the full penalty of the alleged law. Any effort to evade responsibility under the jpretence of dealing leniently with me or for any other reason whatever shall be proof that the law is an unjust and iniquitous law, inasmuch as it cannot be put into execution."