SUNDAY ACTIVITIES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21640, 4 November 1933, Page 9

SUNDAY ACTIVITIES

"GOSPEL WORKERS'' FINED

HAWKING BOOKS FOR SALE

"AN EXTRAORDINARY CASE •"

[by telegraph—own correspondent] NELSON. Friday A case with unusual features came before Mr. T. E. Maunsell, S.M., in tlie Magistrate's Court this morning, when Frank Butt and Myra Fanny 13att were charged with working at their calling, hawking books for sale, in view of a public place 011 Sunday, October 22. Both pleaded not guilty. Senior-Sergeant Stark said the defendants were two of a party of five people who were touring the country in caravans as representatives of a religious society. On Sunday, October 22, the defendants were making a house-to-house canvass in the Wood. Constable M. Lines, in evidence, stated that at 10.30 on the morning in question the defendant Frank Butt came to his place and displayed a number of books. Defendant said 110 was not giving the books away, but asked for a contribution, in return for which witness would be given a book. Defendant asked if witneSs was not willing to help in the Lord's work. Abusive Attitude Alleged Witness said he replied that that was not the point. He expressed the opinion that defendant was committing a breach of the law by doing his business on a Sunday. Defendant said he did not recognise Sunday, which had ended 2000 years ago. On witness saying ho would report the matter, defendant became abusive. .

Constable J. Jackson, who was at Constable Lines' house when defendant called, also gave evidence.

The defendant, Frank Butt, in e?idence said ho was a true and sincere believer in the Christ. He was a minister of the Gospel and he and others enjoyed their voluntary work for the society he" represented. It was their mission to go from home to home and preach tho Gospel of the Kingdom.

The Magistrate: What is your occupation ? Defendant: I was an electrical contractor in Queensland and gave .that up to take part in this voluntary work for the society. The Magistrate: How do you live?— I have friends who help me. The Magistrate: What do you earn? —I earn nothing. The Magistrate: What becomes of the money?—lt is all paid in to the Watchtower Bible, and Tract Society of 114 th Street; New York. The Magistrate; This is becoming complicated. • "Spreading Word of God" Questioned by the sergeant, defendant said ho had no income and was one of 14 such workers. The Magistrate: However worthy your motives, you are breaking the law. Why don't -you confine your work to the other six days? Defendant: Sunday is the best day, as the men are at home then and it is to them we wish to preach the Gospel. The Magistrate: Do you not recognise Sunday?— Yes, of course, we do. It is the Sabbath we do not recognise. Mrs. Butt said she always explained to people thijt donations were not to hell) her, but to help in the spreading of the Word of God. They were voluntary workers and it was a hobby with them. Both defendants claimed that the work they were doing was their hobby. The magistrate said that, looking at the matter from the mundane side, they were getting their food from grants from the society in return for their services, "It is the most extraordinary case I have ever come across," he added.

Addressing the sergeant, Mr. Maunsell asked, "Are they humbugs or are they sincere, erroneous a3 they .might be?"

Sergeant Stark's reply was that he considered them sincere.

Tho magistrate said he did not intend to inflict n penalty, but ho said defendants must stop their Sunday activities in his district. Alternative to Fine

Asked if tlicy would comply with that suggestion, neither would give an undertaking that they would not continue their Gospel work on Sundays. "Well, the law must take its course," snid Mr. Maunsoll. "I'm -not going to allow you to defy the law." Defendant: The law was made for evildoers, but we are not evildoers, we are preaching the Gospel, as any other minister does 011 Sunday. Throe times the magistrate asked if the defendants intended to continue to defy the law. On the final oppor-r tunitV, «fche defendant Prank Butt, replied, "No." Both defendants were convicted and were each fined 10s and costs, lis 6d. Mr. Butt: What is the alternative?

The Magistrate: I will fix the alternative now, if you wish. If you don't pay tho fine, I will issue a distress warrant on your van.

On this intimation the defendants left tho Court.