SEDITIOUS INTENTION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21668, 11 June 1932, Page 12

SEDITIOUS INTENTION

ARTICLES IN RED WORKER A CONVICTION RECORDED (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, June 10. Although ho agreed that articles of the sort published in the Red Worker had to be viewed and interpreted in a free, fair, and liberal spirit, Mr E. Page, S.M., said to-day that, after carefully reading a copy of the paper dated April 26, 1932, be bad come to the conclusion that the articles contained in it expressed seditious intention. A conviction was accordingly entered against William A. G. Lockhart on a charge of having in his possession for sale or distribution a copy of the Red Worker, which expressed a seditious intention and advised and encouraged lawlessness. The question of penalty was reserved until the cases pending against the other defendants had been dealt with. Questions concerning the printing and publishing of: the Red Worker and also a pamphlet on “ Strike Strategy and Tactics” were also inquired into by Mr Page, Leslie Raymond M'Dowell and Richard Francis Griffin being charged with printing or publishing both documents. Griffin, who is a bookseller, was further charged with selling the Red Worker or having it in his possession for sale, A charge of printing or publishing “ Strike Strategy and Tactics ” was made against John, Joseph Robinson, and Alexander Galbraith was similarly charged in connection with two issues of the Red Worker. All the accused pleaded not guilty. After hearing evidence concerning the setting of type and other details, the magistrate reserved bis decision on the charges against Robinson and Galbraith The hearing of the charge against M'Dowell was then taken. The defence was that M'Dowell was a compositor, not a printer of the documents. Counsel for the Crown stated that during the absence from Wellington of_ Galbraith, who was the registered proprietor, printer, and publisher of the Red Worker, the paper was printed in April and May. The Red Worker was registered from J 929 until March 16, 1932, with Robinson named as proprietor, printer, and publisher.' From that date Galbraith was registered. Counsel submitted that although Robinson and Galbraith were registered as proprietors, printers, and publishers, that was merely a cloak to cover the identity of the real printers, who, he alleged, were M'Dowell and Griffin. Although the registration of Robinson and Galbraith undoubtedly rendered them responsible for what was printed, M'Dowell and Griffin were alsp responsible. Evidence was given by the police in regard to detectives calling at the premises in Vivian street, where the printing press was installed. M'Dowell was there wearing an apron, and had ink and greasestained hands. He admitted selling the Red Worker on May Day, Counsel for the defence submitted that there was not a tittle of evidence to show that M'Dowell was the printer. After the accused had given evidence the court was adjourned until to-morrow morning.