APPEAL FOR CLEMENCY.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume V, Issue 1329, 17 May 1918, Page 4

APPEAL FOR CLEMENCY.

THE SEDITION CASES.

SECOND DIVISION LEAGUE

RESOLUTION. At last evening's meeting of the Christchurch Second Division League the following motion was moved by Mr J. Reid, a member of the newlyelected executive:— That this meeting of the Christchurch Second Division League, having full knowledge of all the circumstances connected with the sedition cases and convictions arising out of the recent public meeting, is strongly of the opinion that the action taken was not meant as an incitement to reservists to resist authority, but was intended to be addressed to the Government,, with the object of hurrying an immediate betterment of conditions of service, and would earnestly urge upon the Minister of Justice that clemency should be shown to the offenders and the remainder of their sentences remitted. The reading of the resolution was received with applause. Mr Reid said that there was now no fear of the league being misunderstood in carrying this resolution. He knew the men who had been sent to prison, and he was convinced that they had not the slightest intention of urging reservists to actively resist service. Mr Armstrong, the chairman, said that he was pleased that the motion had been moved, and he thoroughly agreed with it. The motion was then put, and carried amid 'much applause.