A STRIKE SEQUEL

Southland Times, Issue 17968, 8 March 1917, Page 5

A STRIKE SEQUEL

ALLEGED SEDITIOUS UTTERANCE. (Per United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, March 7. In the Hamilton Police Court to-day, before Mr Rawson, S.M., Michael Francis Cusack, of Auckland, a labourer, was charged that on February 15 he did publish a seditious utterance in a speech to certain men employed at the Horotiu Freezing Works, inciting them to strike, which utterance was seditious in that it had a tendency to interfere with the supply of frozen meat required for purposes in connection with the present war, contrary to the War Regulations Act.

Mr Macassey, Crown Prosecutor, Wellington, prosecuted. The case, which is the first of the kind, lasted all day. Mr Macassey said that the Government was absolutely determined not to allow men to cause strikes to delay the shipment of frozen meat and other necessaries for troops at the front. Cusack had been employed at Southdown, and went to Horotiu on February 14th. There was no grievance on the part of the men there, and no complaint had been made to the manager, but there was a strike at Westfield and Southdown. Defendant entered the works without the permission of the manager, addressed the chamber hands with the result that they went on strike. At the time nearly 1,500,0001bs of frozen meat was awaiting shipment for the troops. In the clause under which the proceedings were taken “seditious utterance” was defined as intention, or having a seditious tendency.” The penalty was a fine of £IOO, or twelve months imprisonment. Cusack went to the works on February I4th, after which Mr Robertson, manager, was informed that the men had held a meeting and were going on strike in sympathy with the men on strike in Auckland, but were in the dark as to what they wanted. They agreed to work till the morning. On February 16th nineteen men went out. 100 being affected. Evidence for the prosecution was given on the lines of Mr Macassey’s address. the men being out for eight days. The defence was a denial that Cusack had in any way induced or incited the men to strike.

Decision was reserved till Saturday, bail being allowed accused in his own recognisance.