COLONEL MALONE, M.P.

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10802, 19 January 1921, Page 5

COLONEL MALONE, M.P.

CONVICTION ON SEDITION CHARGE TO STAND. APPEAL, DISMISSED. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association, (Received January 18, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, Janaary 17. The appeal of Colonel Malone, M.P , has been dismissed with costs. The case of Colonel Malone, M.P., who was charged with sedition, aroused a good deal of interest in November last. The prosecution stated that the Charge arose from a speech at the Albert Hall meeting of the National Hands-off Russia Committee and the Communist party of Britain, at which Malone stated: ‘ ‘The day is not far distant when we can meet here, and ask a blessing on the British revolu- • lion. When that day comes, woe to , the people getting in our way. We must change the present constitution. We shall have use for a few lampposts. Wha't are a few Churchills and Curzons compared with the thousands massacred in Egypt and Ireland?” Notes found in Malone’s house showed ihat the violent passages of Die speech were written beforehand. Malone’s counsel claimed, that there was no intention to break the law or commit a criminal act. When Malone went to Russia he was so appalled by what he saw that he believed the world’s only hope of salvation was communism and the destruction of capitalism. There was nothing in his Albert Hall speech likely to cause sedition among civilians. He felt that he had nothing to withdraw or apologise for. Malone was sentenced to six months in the Second Division. Notice pf appeal was given. Colonel Malone was also bound over to be of good behaviour for a year in his own recognisance of £2OO, and two sureties of £IOOO each.