ALLEGED DISLOYAL UTTERANCE

NZ Truth, Issue 604, 13 January 1917, Page 2

ALLEGED DISLOYAL UTTERANCE

What Hope is said to Have Said

A "No" Badge

Where did it Come From 7

Another of the "disloyal" utterance cases was brought on at the Wellington Magistrate's Court on Thursday 'last when Maurice Hope, a young man, appeared before Mr. S. E. McCarthy, SJM^ and was charged with publishing the following statement indicating disloyalty m respect to the present war: "To hell with the King- and Country! I would not flght for anyone. I hay* no time for men wearing red bands on tTiarr prms. ~ They are —————fools." The accused, who is a farmer from the Picton district, was represented by Mr. E. M. Sladden, the prosecution being m the hands of Detective-Ser-geant Cox. Charles Hayes, an ex-eeaman from on board the ,Moeraki, gave evidence which was taken as for the defence (the balance of the evidence . Cor the prosecution is to be taken later). It appears that the accused m company with another man and the witness Hayes were m COMPANY AT THE CENTRAL HOTEL, the police version being that Hope was wearing an anti-conscription badge with the word "No" on it. According to the witness Hayes, however, it would appear that he brought the "No" badge and another from America. The other badge had "President Wilson" on it, while the blue armlet or badge, with the "Np" on it referred to the nolicense campaign which synchronised with the Presidential election m California. Hope asked him for the armlets or badges and he gave the one with "PRESIDENT WESSON" ON IT to him.. Neither of the badges had any reference to Conscription. He (witness) had become possessed of the badges m San Francisco. After the witnesses'e evidence had been taken, an adjournment was granted until Monday, January 8, on the application of Mr. Sladden, accused being released on bail m a sum of £50.