TALKS ON PALESTINE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 47, 24 January 1939, Page 7

TALKS ON PALESTINE.

ARAB OPPOSITION

CAIRO, Jan. 23,

The Premier of Iraq (General Nuri) said to-day that he had flown to Beirut in an attempt to overcome the Grand Mufti's opposition to the representation of all Palestine parties at the London talks. followers of the Grand Mufti threaten to boycott the conference if the Palestine National Defence Party is represented.

CONVICTION QUASHED,

SHOOTING RECALLED,

Received January 24, 11.40 a.m

JERUSALEM

Jan. 23

The Court of Appeal has quashed the sentence on J. Mansell, the plainclothes constable, holding that Mansell was justified in firing in view of the appalling conditions in Jaffa. The Court reserved judgment in Wood’s case in order to consider whether he fired the shot that killed an Arab.

A Special Court, on January 11 convicted the four British plainclothes, constables who were charged with unjustifiably killing an Arab whom they allegedly shot dead while he was attempting to escape from prison. William Wood was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment for attempted manslaughter. J. Mansell for attempt to do bodily harm was sentenced to imprison, ment for one year, and I’. < Voss Icy and J. Crosslcy (who are not related) were bound over for a year. r I he defence pleaded that all the police regulations regarding escapees were observed. \f ood and .Mansell appealed against their conviction. The Chief Justice (Sir Harry Trusted), in delivering judgment, said that accused had not resolved to kill any Arab, hut it. was difficult to see why they had not pursued the prisoner. The Court believed that the use of firearms was unjustified. Wood fired at close range while the prisoner was on the ground, but the Court was uncertain whether this was the fatal shot, owing to the conflict of c\ idcnce.