A SENTENCE CRITICISED.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume V, Issue 1276, 15 March 1918, Page 7

A SENTENCE CRITICISED.

THE RECENT COURT-MARTIAL WOOLSTON COUNCILLORS’ OPINION. One of the conscientious . objectors recently sentenced to imprisonment was John Roberts, a member of the Woolston Borough Council, and the matter was mentioned at a meeting of the council last evening. In introducing the matter, Cr G. H. Borrows said that they were all very sorry that Cr Roberts had to sever his connection with the council because of the attitude he had taken up. “No matter what our opinions are in regard to his position,” said Cr Borrows, “I, for one, cannot help but admire the splendid courage he has shown in obeying the dictates of his conscience and at such a cost. Any man wdio is prepared to suffer to such an extent for his ideas must be a man of sterling qualities. He has showm to us during his 11 months in this council that he is a man of great capabilities. ... I think that the sentence passed upon him is an unduly harsh one, especially w T hen we take into consideration a ease identically the same with a sentence of only nine months’ imprisonment, wdiilst Cr Roberts, for the same offence and at the same time, received 18 months. Owing to the injustice of the case, I should like to move this resolution, if in order: —‘That this council emphatically protest against the unjust sentences passed on conscientious objectors at the recent courtmartial held in Christchurch, believing that if nine months is a just punishment for one ease it is equally just in other cases of a similar description.’ ” The motion w T as seconded pro forma by Cr D. Mcßae. Cr J. C. Hobson said that they all sympathised with Cr Roberts, but the matter w T as one outside the province of the council to discuss. Cr T. Champ, expressing a similar view', said that the council should not interfere with the military authorities. The Mayor (Mr McGregor Wright) held that the council was elected to deal wdth municipal matters, not with military affairs, and the subject w T as outside the province of tho council. No one felt more for Cr Roberts than he did, but Cr Roberts had disobeyed the laws of the country and had suffered the consequences. He asked that the matter be held over to give him time to think it over before he permitted the motion to be put to the council. He would give his ruling at the next meeting-