"SCIENTIFIC LECTURE."D

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 15873, 12 July 1922, Page 11

"SCIENTIFIC LECTURE."D

INCITEMENT TO VIOLENCE

;Per Press Association.} WELLINGTON,- last night. At tho Police Court., Alexander Galbvnilh was charged with inciting violence in sin address entitled "The Downfall of' Capitalism." The defence was a denial of the charge. It was contended that the lecture was a scientific one, and there was no intention to incite to- violence. The Magistrate (Mr Hunt) mid he had no doubt the accused had used' the words which brought about the prosecution, and he was satisfied that the speech encouraged lawlessness. Continuing, the Magistrate said: "Galbraith was probably carried' away by his subject, and T am satisfied lie did not put a curb on his tongue; in order to comply with the law. If these speeches are u.sod indiscriminately it is very difficult to keep peace. These-sort of speeches may fall tipon ill-balanced minds and result in crimes and violence. Suc,h' a. person might bring a revolver and! shoot a capitalist, for instance. It is, of benefit to the. country that these sort of tilings should stop. Had the speech, been made in the street Isbould not have the sligbtesl hesitation in sending the accused to gaol. •If the accused' aspired to be a maker of i the law ho should first learn to abide by it."

A fine of £25 was imposed, with costs, in default two months' imprisonment.