JEHOVAH’S WITNESS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 6 December 1940, Page 2

JEHOVAH’S WITNESS

REFUSAL TO CEASE ACTIVITY MAGISTRATE’S REMARKS [United Press Association] CHRISTCHURCH. sth December. “This Court has difficulty in understanding the mentality of these people. They are not asked to go against their consciences when they are asked to be quiet in the meantime,” said Mr Levvey, S.M.. when a Jehovah's Witness appeared in Court to-day. “Their pamphlets are the cause of strong religious strife, which is not good. Why can’t they do what other people are doing and deny themselves a little and be quiet till things settle down?” Margaret Messervy, domestic, aged 60. was charged with participating in the activities of a subversive organisation, and Mr H. S. Clark acted for her, entering a plea of not guilty. Constable R. J. Hart described what ne had seen in Bath street on 15th November. Mrs Messervy had put booklets entitled "Uncovered” into letterboxes and. when approached, she admitted everything, producing 14 copies of the booklet, all that were left of! 30 she had started with. Mr Clark, opening his address for! the defence, explained that Messervy! was definitely against Nazism. Fascism l and Commurtism. v Freedom of worship was the basis of constitutional liberty, Mr Clark said, and a recent Ministerial statement indicated that the Statute was not aimed against accused. Her beliefs were her religion All I know is that there is a Statute which 1 must enforce and I cannot take notice of Ministerial pronouncements,” sa d the magistrate. “Ministerial pronouncements are of no value in this Court ” Mr Clark submitted that accused had m.rely committed a technical breach. "Tnis Court does not want to be dragged into religious controversy of any kind.” the Magistrate said to Mr Clark. "Put it to her that she should be quiet >n the meantime.” Mr Clark then spoke to accused in the dock. lm a British subject and I’ll expose the enemies of our Empire,” she announced. ‘Tell her to talk sense. Mr Clark,” said tne Magistrate. ‘l'm not prepared to cease. I’ll do wnat God tells me.” accused continued, while Mr Clark was speaking to his client. Detective-Sergeant Sinclair told the Magistrate that McElty. head of the organisation in Christchurch, had told him that none of the members intended to stop. “I m sorry, sir. she won’t give in,” sa.d Mr Clark "It’s all right. I can hear.” the Magistrate said "She is being used as a tool, out she is a very minor tool.” Accused was fined £5. in default seven days’ imprisonment.