HOLLAND'S CASE.

Northern Advocate, 1 May 1914, Page 11

HOLLAND'S CASE.

STATEMENT BY MINISTER.

WILL NOT INTERFERE WITH

THE SENTENCE

After consideration of the representations recently made on behalf of Henry Holland, the Minister for Justice announced on Tuesday last that he could see no sufficient grounds to justify him in recommending the Governor to grant any remission of the sentence imposed upon the prisoner. The Minister made the following statement upon the subject:—

"Holland was convicted by a jury. Kis case was carefully investigated by his fellow-countrymen, and every facility was given by counsel who conducted his defence. It is not seriously suggested by anyone that he was not guilty of the offence with which he was charged.

His Honour the Chief Justice, who sentenced him, gave his representations every consideration, and passed a sentence which he considered was reasonable under the circumstances, and I know of no reason which would justify me in advising His Excellency the Governor to interfere in any way with the sentence imposed. I am of opinion that to accede to the wishes of those who are petitioning for Holland's release would be to make the administration of justice ridiculous.

"I would like to point out that this is not Holland's first offence. He has been convicted on two other occasions—once at Sydney, on August 26, 1896, where he was convicted of criminal libel and fined £50, in default three months' imprisonment, and again at Albury on May 6, 1909, where he was convicted of sedition, and sentenced to two years' imprisonment. In the last instance he was discharged by special remission on October 4, 1909. "It may enable reasonable' people to understand and appreciate the present situation if I repeat the following words used by the Chief Justice when sentencing Holland on the 22nd Inst.: — "His Honour said: 'Prisoner at the bar, you have been, convicted by the jury of sedition; and the Court of Appeal has held that the jury were warranted in so finding. You have received, as you will admit, every consideration in the position in which you have been placed. It is my bounden duty to carry out the law. You seem to think that this law has been imposed upon New Zealand by the judges of the past. The law is a law made by the Parliament of New Zealand, and made by it unanimously. As far as I remember, I was present when the law was enacted, and no objection was taken to it then. The legislature, and every right-thinking person, will hold that if we are to have any progress or peace In the community' there must be some to prevent violence. I shall not sentence you to what the law allows, which is a term of four years. I am going to deal- kindly with you—far more kindly than you were dealt with in your own country. I hope you will see and take time for reflection to see that no good can come about from violent methods. Violence breeds violence, and this community will not stand one class being violent towards another or towards the established authorities without violence ensuing."