INCITING TO MUTINY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21530, 30 December 1931, Page 10

INCITING TO MUTINY

COMMUNIST SENTENCED TWO YEARS’ HARD LABOUR. (From Our Own Correspondent.) LONDON, November 24. Sentence of two years’ hard labour was passed at the Old Bailey on Frank Paterson, aged 26, a clerk, who was found guilty of endeavouring to dissuade member of his Majesty’s_ Forces from their allegiance and to incite them to mutiny, and also with conspiring with other persons to commit breaches of the Incitement to Mutiny Act, 1797. Sir Percival Clarke, prosecuting, said that the charge arose out of articles published by the Daily Worker, which called itself “ the organ of the Communist Party of Great Britain (section of the Communist International).” “ There is no question of political views in this case,” he said. ‘‘People are entitled to put forward their political views and to urge their political claims in a proper way, but they are not entitled to endeavour to dissuade soldiers and sailors from their duty and allegiance to his Majesty.” Mr Justice Humphreys, in the course of the hearing, commented adversely on the way the police had tried to find out whether persons v would admit responsibility for the articles before obtaining a warrant. e “ RED ” SPEECH STOPPED. Asked if he had anything to say, Paterson replied: “I believe that this prosecution is only part of continuous attempts by the authorities to attack the Daily Worker and the Communist Party, of which-1 am proud to be a member.” A voice in the gallery: “ Hear, hear.” The judge interrupted Paterson, and said: “I will not listen to this. You are not going to be allowed to make this an opportunity for a Communist speech in this court.” Paterson: Then I only wish to say wc Communists will not be intimidated by sentences for conducting our propogauda and advocating our principles. Mr Justie Humphreys, passing sentence, said: “You have said that you and your fellow-Commupists will not be intimidated. Just as assuredly the people of this country will not be intimidated by such methods as you used from doing their duty. One is glad to know that there is not the least reason to suppose that the disgraceful things you wrote in the various editions of this so-called paper have had any effect at all on the loyalty of his Majesty’s Army and Navy.. You have already had one lesson. You have had six months’ imprisonment.”