A SEDITION CASE.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 1173, 14 November 1917, Page 4

A SEDITION CASE.

LYTTELTON RESIDENT CONVICTED.

FINE OF FIVE POUNDS

George Walklin appeared before Mr T. A. B. Bailey, S.M., at the Lyttelton Magistrate's Court this morning charged with publishing a seditous utterance of a tendency to excite dissatisfaction against the Government, in contravention of Regulation 1 (a) of the War Regulations. The utterance complained of was as follows: "We would be just as well off under the Prussian Hag as the English, there is no starvation in Germany. Children do not run about there with no boots and shoes as they do in England. German rule is better than the English." Mr I-Junt, on behalf of the defendant, pleaded not guilty. SeniorSergeant Jackson prosecuted. George Edward Sohett, customhouse officer stationed at Lyltellon, said that he was on duty on No. 2 wharf between (i and 0.30 a.m. on July 2(>, awaiting the arrival of an oversea vessel. Witness entered into conversation with defendant, whom he did not know, and also with Gaptain Williams and another man. They spoke of Mr McCombs, (he member for Lyttelton, and the conversation drifted on to matters connected with the war. The defendant said that the conscripting of 19-year-old youths was Prussianism straightout, and then made the utterance which was the foundation of the charge. Walklin said that he had had a letter from a friend in Germany which stated that there was no starvation in Germany. To Mr Hunt: in the discussion regarding Mr McCombs, witness and Captain Williams were against him (Mr McCombs), and Walklin and the other man supported him. John Henry Williams, master mariner, said that he heard the words complained of, and told defendant that he was mad. Witness admitted that he took the words hard, as he had three sons fighting. He heard no other conversation excepting that regarding Prussiannsm. Mr Hunt said that the use of the words was denied point-blank. The defendant was a particularly loysJ subject, and had been classed C2 when he had enlisted. Before ha had been turned down he had taken an active part in getting a petition signed in the port in favour of conscription.

Defendant, in evidence, said that he was 3!) years of age, and had lived all his life in the port. What ho had said after discussing Mr McConibs and the cost of living, was that from the pictures he had seen and conversations he had had with seafaring men, there was evidently more poverty in England than in Germany. He had never used the words regarding Prussianism, and they were not his sentiments. Matthew Hanson said that he had lived in Lyttelton for almost 27 years. Witness heard Walklin say that from what he had heard and seen in pictures, there was more poverty in Britain than in Germany, where children were not seen barefooted. Walklin had never mentioned anything about Prussianism or German rule being belter than English. ■ ■■"William Thomas Lester, Mayor of Lyttelton, and a justice of the peace, said that he had known Walklin all his life, and had always found him honest and straightforward, and a loyal subject. Joseph Garrard, manager for Kinsey and Co., said that he had known Walklin for 18 or 20 years, and had always had a very high opinion of him.

The Magistrate said that the case had been proved, but it was different from other cases he had dealt with. It was not an instance where a good speaker influenced a large number of people. The offence had occurred during a conversation. When men entered into political argument they often said rash things they did not mean. A fine of £5 and costs was imposed.