Pacifist Propagandists Arrested

Northern Advocate, 5 September 1939, Page 9

Pacifist Propagandists Arrested

[Per Press Association. Copyright.'] If ”, ‘ • WELLINGTON, This Day.

' Described as members of the New Zealand Christian Pacifist Society, the Rev. Ormond Edward Burton, minister of the Webb Street Methodist Church; Michael Young, printer, aged 22; and Neil Henry Trail, costing clerk, aged 21; appeared in the Magistrate's Court', yesterday, charged with obstructing police officers in the execution of their duty. Burton was alleged to have obstructed Sub-Inspector D. G. O’Neill, and Young and Trail were alleged to have obstructed Sergeant J. McKie. Sub-Inspector O’Neill asked for a remand until Wednesday. Discouragement of Recruiting. Burton, he said, was apparently the leader of the three, who were members of the New Zealand Christian Pacifist Society. The charge arose out of an address Burton had been giving to a crowd of between 200 and 300 people outside Parliament Buildings.

The address was against recruiting, and, when told to stop, he said ho would go on tomorrow and every day throughout the war. ‘‘l told him it was an inopportune time to make such an address to young men.” said Mr O'Neill. Bail Net 'Wanted. The magistrate, Mr J. L. Stout, S.M., asked Burton if he was asking for bail. Burton: No, I have no money avail- ; able.for the purpose. Mr O’Neill; It would not bo a quos- | ti'on of bail. j The magistrate: If you give an j undertaking not to address another I meeting I am prepared to let you out. Burton: I am not prepared to give that undertaking.; The magistrate: Then I am afraid I cannot let you out. Ido not know the circumstances of the case, but you will have to be careful you do not say anything seditious, or more serious charges might be made in these difficult times. I Young and Trail both stated that j they, too, did not wish to bo bailed