SEQUEL TO EVICTION

Northern Advocate, 16 October 1931, Page 2

SEQUEL TO EVICTION

A BAILIFF OBSTRUCTED,

FIFTEEN MEN CHARGED,

AUCKLAND, Thursday,

Fifteen men wore charged at the Police Court today, as a sequel to the eviction of a woman from a house in Norfolk Street, with assaulting a bailiff and procuring lawlessness. All pleaded not guilty.

The bailiff, in evidence, said that as he started to force his way in a voice inside said: “Come on, boys, we will give them a fight for it.”

In the wide passage he saw about a dozen men armed with cudgels. He called the police, .who demanded that, the men put the cudgels down. One said: “It’s no good boys; they are too many for us.” He then entered unopposed. The doors were all barricaded, and the windows nailed.

Cross-examined, witness said the fact that his Avarrant was against a woman with five young children had nothing to do with him.

Air. Dickson (for defendants): “I’m going to suggest the whole thing was more or less of a political agitation.”

DEPUTATION TO MINISTER.

PROTEST AGAINST SENTENCE

(Per Press Association.—Copyright.) WELLINGTON, This Day.

Protesting against the conviction and sentencing of James Henry Edwards at Auckland, on Wednesday, for encouraging lawlessness in connection Avith an eviction, a deputation representing the Unemployed Workers’ Movement Avaited upon the Minister of Justice, the Hon, J. G. Cobbe, yesterday afternoon. In the Avorkers’ opinion, speakers stated, a conviction and sentence of one month’s imprisonment passed by Air F. K. Hunt, S.M., Avas a miscarriage of justice.

Mr J. Turner, leader of the deputation, appealed to the Minister to look into the matter.

In reply the Minister said that if the unemployed Avould cease agitating, there would be no Avorkers put in gaol. Mr Turner: “The discontent which exists among workers today is caused by the conditions with which they have to contend. It is absurd that they should quit agitation.” The Alinister promised to look into the matter, but said lie could do practically nothing, as a. magistrate had done his duty and he Avould not be biased in any Avay,