S.M. Convicts Pacifist

Northern Advocate, 6 August 1949, Page 7

S.M. Convicts Pacifist

NELSON, 1 Sat. (P.A.).—A prosecution arising from recent street meetings, when eggs and bad fruit were thrown at the speakers, was heard by Mr H. J. Thompson, ' S.M., oa Friday, when Archibald Charles Barrington, aged 43, was charged with obstructing the police on July 29. Describing happenings at a meeting held by Christian pacifists on July 15, when eggs and bad fruit were thrown at the speakers, Sergeant Simpson said that one speaker was forcefully taken away on a lorry and his trousers and one shoe were removed. Only police intervention prevented personal violence to the pacifists. PROTECTIVE CUSTODY On the following Friday the pacifists held another meeting when the crowd closed in. The pacifists were taken into protective custody, otherwise they might have been seriously injured. Senior Sergeant Knight said the meeting on July 22 had caused a breach of the peace almost to the exteat of a riot.

On July 29 fearing a repetition, the police on duty were supplemented and he told defendant that he would have to stop speaking. Defendant replied that he could not do so and was told that if he continued he would be taken into custody.. Defendant continued speaking and was arrested. I ONLY INTERJECTIONS

Barrington said there was no evidence that the police carried out their part in a way which would have at least minimised the disturbance.

As for the meeting on July 29, there had been no untoward incidents, no rush on the speaker and no organised pandemonium, but only interjections. The magistrate said it seemed the police were justified in expecting a breach of the peace and that being so it was their duty to stop the meeting. He convicted Barrington and ordered him to pay the court costs amounting to 10/-.