Social Democratic Party

Maoriland Worker, Volume 5, Issue 177, 24 June 1914, Page 5

Social Democratic Party

MEETINGS OF PROTEST. Meetings of public protest were held eimultaneously all over New Zealand on Sunday evening, against the imprisonment of H. Holland and the strikers who were sentenced during the strike last November. At Wellington, there was a large and sympathetic audience at the King's Theatre, to hear Messrs. Chapman, Glovor, Modena, Hindmarsh, M.P., and Hickey speak to the motions. Mr. Agnew took the chair, and announced that in addition to these meetings, some thousands of signatures would be presented to Parliament for the release of the prisoners. He pointed out that the very thing the Bible-in-Schools League were advocating—Bible teaching—was the cause of Holland's imprisonment, for ho had merely carried out the precept —"Thou shalt not kill!" Mr. Chapman, in moving the resolutions, gave it as hie opinion that the outcome of Holland's sentence would be reform of the jury system. No man who was a prominent.trades unionist, or otherwise to the fore in Labour matters was ever selected for a jury. In Mr. Holland's case no less than 25 jurymen had been "stood aside" by the prosecution. \ Mr. Glover said if Labour had been united the prisoners would have been out of jail long ago. Whenever a worker was honest enough to stand by his principles, into jail he was thrown. Civilisation was, after all, only a veneer, and the primitive savage had) been coming to the fore very much of late. Holland wished it understood that he would rather do another twelve months than have them go begging and praying the Massey Government for his release; they must demand it! There was one law for the rich and another for tho poor to-day, as much as ever there vrae. Mr. Modena dealt with the point —Is Holland a danger to society? If not, why is he in jail? Mr. Hindmarsh, M.P., said it was high tirno the men were released. The reason for wh'ch they ivero imprisoned was long past and gone. Ho asked the audience not to ascribe dishonest motives to those who sided against them, as he believed these people only acted according to their lights. Tho Labour movement could best -he amalgamated by leaving out abuse, and making allowance for difference of opinion. Mr. Hickey eaid he agreed with the last speaker in bis plea for tolerance, but must disagree 'with him that progress had been due in tho past to recognition of tho law.. Trades Unions had been formed in the teeth of existing law, aud unless the L'iw commends itself to tho respect of tho community, it will bo broken: i.e., it is not recognised as law. Tom Mann had said practically the snme thing as Holland, and after ho had served a month in jail, the English Government recognised the absurdity of the sentence, and released him. Larkin had been reloadrd on the ground that the law of sndrion was obsolete. These were precedonrs for the Massey Government to follow, and the snme thing should be done hero. All the speakers, received frequent and enthusiastic nppbuso. The Watersiders' Band rendered an enjoyable musical programme. The following motions were put and enrrifd unanimously: (1) This meeting considers that the law of sedition under which Mr. 11. Holland is at present undergoing a term of imprisonment, is an obsolete survival from a period v.hen liberty of thought and freedom of spoorh were not. recognised as tho acknowledged

right of every British eubject; and further, is of the opinion that tho ei.forcement of this law is a serious reflection upor, the liberty which is yenerally supposed to be associated with the British Constitution, and it is highly regretablo that it should be resuieicated in a young democratic country. This meeting therefore calls upon the Government of New Zealand to accept the precedent laid down by the Imperial Government in the" cases of .Mann and Larkin, and release Mr. Holland forthwith. (2) This meeting protests against t!- , continued imprisonment of the men convicted of various charges connected directly with last year's strike. All tI;C offonces were committed during a perk 1 of intense feeling, and apart from the fact that tho strike has been over for tho last six months, there is no justification for retaining these men in prison. (3) Tin's meeting condemns tho jury system now in vogue, whereby tho Police Department has practically absolute power. It considers the methr,<i of preparing jury lists, and the right of unlimited challenge on the part of the Crown as opposed to the prisoner's strictly limited right of challenge, a? being a mero travesty of justice.