VOLUNTEER IN TROUBLE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 14243, 10 March 1917, Page 6

VOLUNTEER IN TROUBLE.

ALLEGED DISLOYAL UTTERANCE, j

A young man, Edward Browne, was j charged before Mr E. C. Cutten, S.x>L, j in the Police Court, Aucklaad, with 1 having, on February 3, published a statement which indicated disloyalty in respect to tho present war by saying that "New Zealand would be better olf under German rule than under British; rule." He was also charged with using i obscene language iu Victoria street onj the same occasion.

Accused pleaded not guilty to the first count and guilty to the second. Chief -Detective McMahon, -in outlining the charges, said." that it was one of tho worst cases that had coma under his notice for a long tim#. At about - p.m. oh Saturday, February 3, the accused, who had previously been accepted uh a member of the * liixpeditionary Force, .visited the recruiting station and demanded that ji man named Olliver should be included in tho same draft as himself. H<» :>-aid Olliver Ava-s Jhis *u.-ther. When informed tha.t his request .uukl not be acceded to he proceeded to a.sk questions as to tbe business of the officer, because abusive, and, the chiefdetective continued, "used filthy and fearful language." He «lso« made use of the disloyal utterances. Eventually ho sras put out of the oflice. >Sergeant-Major Williams .cave evidence on the lines indicated by Mr McMahon. He said the accused had enlisted in the 27th Reinforcement, and was due to eave for camp to-morroAv. At the time >f tho offence .accused Avas sober. The auguaga Avas shouted, a.nd could be heard outside tho station.

In answer to Mr Cullen, Browne said !io lost his temper and made use of the annrua<re CGnipiained of. He was i.ot disloyal, and had at no time expressed iisloyalty. All he had said to the •uajor was : "It is a pity New Zealand 'ia,s to fall back on fellows like you. Ton >ught to b? in Germany." Mr Cutten said the fact. that tho accused had enlisted tvrice was not in Aeping with a suggestion of disloyalty. Te thought the utterances were luA.l more as swear words. However, thoy brought him under tha War Regulations; n vievv of tho fact that the defendant •\ as going into camp the fplloAving' day ie proposed to deal leniently with him. •n the first charge ha Avould l be convict - •<1 and fined £2, with costs 7s, and on he second ho Avould be convicted jnd lischarged.