JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24632, 13 June 1941, Page 9

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES

A MEMBER CHARGED CANVASSING OF BIBLES (Special) CHRISTCHURCH, June 12. “ I can’t see that this is anything but a technical breach, but what am I going to do with him? ” Mr E. C. Leyvey. S.M., said when Donald McGeachie. a rubber worker, aged 17, was charged with participating in the activities of a subversive organisation known as Jehovah’s Witnesses. “ There should be a straightout ban on this organisation or else nothing at all. Then we would know where we are,” Mr Levvey said. McGeachie was ordered to come up for sentence if called on within 12 months and he was ordered to pay all expenses. Detective Sergeant F. Sinclair prosecuted and Mr W. R. Lascelles appeared for McGeachie. Constable F, W. Le Fort said that on May 11 after complaints had been made he went to the corner of Norman’s road and St. Andrews square, where there were seven persons, including the accused, all of whom admitted being Jehovah’s Witnesses. Suitcases in their possession were packed with Bibles. Witness said he interviewed McGeachie at his home and the accused said that he had been canvassing tor about six months and had been a Jehovah’s Witness for nearly two years. , .. . , Mr Lascelles said that it was just a Christian act to bring Bibles into peoples’ homes. There had been no intention of interfering in the war effort in any way. “We must stop this door : to-door canvassing. These Bibles are just the thin edge of the wedge,’ Detective Sergeant Sinclair said.