ALLEGED SUBVERSIVE SPEECH

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 15 June 1940, Page 3

ALLEGED SUBVERSIVE SPEECH

1 EX SERVICEMEN BEFORE COURT DECISION RESERVED BY I MAGISTRATE [United Press Association 1 ; WELLINGTON, 14th June. Walker George Bishop, aged 67, pleaded not guilty to making a subversive speech at a recent Sunday night meeting, called, according to a pamphlet issued beforehand, to “demand the release of Burton and Lyttle,” [ whom the document referred to as “in ■ prison for conscience’ sake.” It was ’ stated that Burton and Lyttle were tried . for obstructing the police in the execution of their duty and both had a ’ trial in the Magistrate’s Court and a re-hearing in the Supreme Court. , Bishop said he went to the last war ; with the rank of captain in the Rifle Brigade and was promoted to major, serving in Egypt and France. He offered his services again shortly after the outbreak of the present war but ( , was not accepted because of his age. j ! He went to ihe meeting as a sympathiser of Burton and did not intend ‘ anything he said to be subversive. J To counsel, Bishop said in his opin- J ion Burton and Lyttle were convicted on what he would call speaking the 1 truth and he considered they were suf- ( fering an injustice. The objects of 1 his speech were soley to protest £ against what he considered to be an 1 injustice. The magistrate said he would like 1 time to thoroughly read the report of * the speech and reserved decision. i Two cases on similar charges against 1 two other men were adjourned until 1 Wednesday. j 1