ALLEGATION OF INCITING

Taranaki Daily News, 29 January 1931, Page 7

ALLEGATION OF INCITING

CIRCULAR NEAR BORDERLINE CHARGES AGAINST COMMUNIST. “PRODUCT OF DISORDERED MIND.” By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night.

Stating he would like to take time to consider a circular which was somewhere near the “borderline,” Mr. E. Page, S.M., reserved his decision to-day when William Martin, a native of England, aged 39, was charged with distributing a document containing words inciting to lawlessness. The following words were mentioned in the charge: “Refuse to register, refuse to pay! Organise the unemployed; form committees on all jobs to fight the Bill! If the boss sacks anyone for refusal to pay, hold the job up and demonstrate a protest.” Sub-Inspector Ward said Martin was a member of the Communist Party and was present at a meeting in Post Office Square on November 7. A largo crowd gathered and Martin distributed documents which contained the words, “Refuse, to register” and “Refuse to pay.” It was on those words the charge was founded. <

Mr. Mazengarb for Martin said although. advice was given in the circular to resist the Act it did not go so far as to incite; it went no further than the statement of a person who advised one to go to gaol rather than pay the dole. “I submit it is not calculated to encourage lawlessness as contemplated by the Act; it is the product of an uneducated or disordered mind.”

Sub-Inspector Ward contended if there were general organised resistance to the Act violence and disorder were bound to follow. Martin was charged also with two offences -of indecently assaulting a male. He pleaded guilty and was committed, to the Supreme Court for sentence. A third charge of a similar nature against him was dismissed.