Anti-War Meeting Organiser Charged With Obstruction

Northern Advocate, 2 December 1939, Page 9

Anti-War Meeting Organiser Charged With Obstruction

[Per Press Association. Copyright .] WELLINGTON, This Day.

Mr J. L. Stout, S.M., reserved his decision in a case against Michael Young, a printer, who was charged with wilfully obstructing a public place by holding a meeting, and with aiding in the commission of negligent obstruction by a crowd. Young pleaded not guilty. The police evidence was that the lane in which he was speaking was obstructed by a crowd, and he held no permit to speak in public. Anti-War Meeting When one of the witnesses said that Young was dealing with matters connected with war and that some of his sayings were very close to sedition, Mr Stout remarked that the man was not charged with sedition. Young, in the witness box, said the meeting was an anti-war meeting. He thought there was more behind the action of the - police than obstruction.

It seemed to be more an attempt to prevent people who were pacifists from expressing their opinions. He had been unable to obtain a permit from the city council.