PACIFIST ORATOR CHARGED

Southland Times, Issue 23989, 2 December 1939, Page 3

PACIFIST ORATOR CHARGED

DECISION RESERVED BY MAGISTRATE (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, December 1. After hearing the case, the Magistrate (Mr J. L. Stout) reserved his decision in the charge against Michael Young, printer, of wilfully obstructing a public place by holding a .meeting, and with aiding in the commission of negligent obstruction by a crowd. Young pleaded not guilty. , The police evidence was that Chew s Lane was obstructed by a crowd to which the accused was speaking. He replied to the constable that he did not have a permit and the constable asked him to move along. The accused asked the crowd to form a lane to allow traffic through, but it did not do so and the accused refused to move. The constable was joined by two other police officers and the accused said he had made his point and moved on. When the constable said the accused was dealing with matters connected with war and some of his sayings were very close to sedition, the Magistrate remarked that the man was not charged with sedition. The accused, in the witness box, said the meeting was an anti-war meeting. He thought there was more behind the action of the police than obstruction. It seemed to be more an attempt to prevent people who were pacifists from expressing their opinions. He had been unable to obtain a permit from the City Council.