appeal against conviction

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 24 October 1940, Page 6

appeal against conviction

DISMISSED BY SUPREME COURT [United Press Association] WELLINGTON, This Day. The appeal of James Kelman, hairdresser, against his conviction on a charge of having in his possession a copy of a pamphlet entitled “Murder” with a view to facilitating publication ol a subversive statement, was dismissed by Mr Justice Ostler in a reserved judgment in the Supreme Court to-day. His Honour held that tile pamphlet was subversive and he had no doubt that appellant had copies with a view to facilitating publication, and he did not think the Magistrate's sentence of twelve months' imprisoment too severe. The whole object of the pamphlet was to appeal to the passions of women in order to enlist their aid for the so-

called Peace and Anti-Conscription Council in its efforts to interfere with and neutralise and defeat our national effort in the desperate fight for democracy and freedom in which the British Empire was now engaged lonehanded.