PACIFIST IN COURT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24777, 29 November 1941, Page 8

PACIFIST IN COURT

APOLOGY FOR CONTEMPT ADVICE BY MAGISTRATE "TAKE A TRIP TO BERUN" (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 28. Lincoln Arthur Winstone Efford, who was charged yesterday with committing wilful contempt in face of the Magistrate's Court in that, not being an authorised person, he did take down reports in writing, which included notes of the magistrate's remarks, with comments thereon, appeared again this morning before Mr A. A. McLachlan, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court. He pleaded not guilty. After hearing the evidence, Efford tendered an apology, and the charge was dismissed. Efford was not represented by counsel. "You are charged with contempt of court," the magistrate said. "You do not seem to understand the gravity of the offence. You do not seem to realise that the social security of the country is in the balance. That is being decided in Libya and Moscow and other places. You are accepting British shelter when your country is in danger. You are like Nero, fiddling while Rome burns. While your country is fighting for its very existence you come to the court, taking onesided notes of these cases." . Notes Taken Without Permission

Efford: I would consider reparation to you if I were advised of what was in my notes and what the comment consisted of. ~...■

The magistrate: Contempt consists of taking notes without permission. Efford: I suggest that the charge is incorrect.

The magistrate: The charges were made under the jurisdiction of the court. You do not seem to understand that yours is a one-sided report, which definitely misrepresents the position. Efford said he understood that he was in court on one charge only. He had been in court before, but had not taken notes before. He would, however, have taken notes, innocently, on previous occasions, if he had wanted to. He said the only comment was one word, and therefore the charge was not correct.

The magistrate: How many times have you been in here When alleged conscientious objectors have been in the court?

Efford: Four or five times, I have a right to come to the court as a member of the public. My behaviour in the court has been courteous and everything it should be. The magistrate: Holding the views you do, you should be in Japan or somewhere.

Efford: There are people there who believe the same as I do. I have to do my duty in the country in Which I live. The magistrate: There is one place you should be. The magistrate said that Efford was not taking notes to brush up his education, but- was wilfully out to defeat the war effort. In answer to the magistrate, Efford said he was a school teacher but had no pupils.

Pacifist Activities Detective Parrish said that Efford was known as a member of pacifist societies. He was the chairman of the "Fellowship of Conscientious Objectors," was connected with the Peace Pledge Union and oh the outbreak of war was connected with the No More War Movement. Efford was an active member of the anti-conscription campaign and was on an invalidity pension. When he was searched no subversive matter was found in his possession. Efford. in evidence, said.he was not sure why he took notes, but as a member of the public he felt it his duty to do so. He added that after the war, history would have to be written. "As a man under suspicion of subversive acts you should definitely, not be allowed to take notes," said "the magistrate, ' who, on receiving .an apology from Efford dismissed the case " Please try to show your pacifist designs in a less patent way in the, future," he added. "Take a trip to Japan or Berlin."