ALLEGED SEDITIOUS UTTERANCES.

Colonist, Volume LVIII, Issue 14409, 10 May 1917, Page 6

ALLEGED SEDITIOUS UTTERANCES.

CHARGES AGAINST P. O.: WEBB,

B!H JAiMES ALLEN IN THE WIT-

NESS BOX

CALLED BY THE DEFENDANT,

i United Paaea Association..]

Christchuroh, .~vLa.y 9

Tho adjourned charges against P. C■"We'bb, .M.P., of making seditious- utterances on t.he West Const, in contravention of the War Regulations, were called on at the Police Court this morning. The Court "was crowded. ■ • Webb conducted Iris own-case. .

Mr Raymond, for the Crmsn,'_saidthat the accused had subpoenaed the Acting-Prime Minister. Webb, asked for another remand fca give time, for him to prepare His defence and got '"witnesses.

A discussion regarding liii adiournTAont and Sir James Allen's evidence, v.as. cut short by the Minister's arrival.

Sir James AJlen v»a.s examined by Web'b regarding the. activities of tiie defendant in .the '■• settlement of the strike on the "West Coaat.

The defendant questioned Sir James Allen minutely on his (defendant's) dealings with "Ministers during their recent visit to the West Coast. He asked, "Did ray conduct in any way Joad you to believe that I had any de-j-sire or intention whatever of continuing the strike on the question of conscriotion?''

Sir James Allon: 1 think you were, .(ike a good many others, persuaded that the' conscription issue was not a Kood one, and that it was wise to shift the Ua-ttle^round somewhere-else.

Webb: Did yon think at the tune that my inihicitco av^is used in the di-: root-ion of shifting the issue from conscription?

Sir James Allen : -As far as T conld ;iudge you were trying to'induce, the miners. to shift the issue from conacription to pay conditions and other things.

"That is all I desire to ask Sir James," said the defendant, in conciuliion. "I have other evidence »vhic'.h 1 tope to bring forward next veclr, to 'iDiitinue on similar lines."

The evidence 01 the Acting-Prime Minister was described by Mr (Raymond, For tlio Crown, as quite invlevant to the charge of sedition. I The hearing was adjourned. Bail! was refused. . j