THE DEFENCE FORGES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 143550, 15 July 1911, Page 3

THE DEFENCE FORGES.

Opposition in Christchurch. ANOTHER PROSECUTION. Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, July 14. A movement hns been, inaugurated under the title of “The National Peaco . and Anti-Militarist Council ofNow Zca- . land” to organise those who are pro. testing against the compulsory clause* of the Defence Act to take united action in an effort to have the ,clauses repealed. ■ j\n ■ indignation meeting is :.he- , ; mg arranged for in Christchurch. A m petition praying for the repeal of the ■- compuksory training clauses will ho circulated throughout the Dominion, and!, candidates, for tho forthcoming election will be asked to pledge themselves, in the interests of the movement. ; : 1 1;: ’ Committees under the direction of the council will, it is officially announced. arrange for legal advice andl i assistance for any who. may .be prose-,, :, cured under tho provisions of the Act, and will give information regarding the;' ; interpretation of certain clauses,of the: ACt ‘ WELLINGTON; July 14. Before Mr. W. G. Riddell,: 6.M., today William Coley pleaded;guilty to ; d failing to register,:'as a territorial under the'Defence.Act of, 1909; Sub-Inspector; , „ Sheehan stated that accused was the ringleader of half a dozen lads at IJutt, / who had givch the department a great deal of trouble. Accused had. -only registered that morniiig. ..illtofnutKdnyl;ties wished it knowm that if these youths did not register; the department.:; ; would ask fqrttho heaviest penalty the court could impose. Accused was convicted aud ordered to pay court costs, ‘ seven shillings; in default 24; hours’ im- ' prisonraent. Tivonty-four; hours were 1 1 -, given to pay the fine, , A WOULD-BE MARTYR. WELLINGTON, July 15. Cornish, tho father of tho boy recently fined £4 and costs for having •failed to register -under /the; I Defence'd. Act, informs tho press that, the boy . has been arrested and will have to servo 21 days in gaol. Cornish said his son was only one out of 13,000 who had not been'registered. A league . had been, formed: in Brooklyn, and all the youths in it 1 were prepared;to go to gaol rather than comply wit-lithe , law. Cornish says that his son’s work- ; mates collected the, amount of the fine, d, hut the lad refused to allow it to bo paid, and had gone to gaol for his principles. - t .;;jit It may be mentioned once again that going to gaol does not relieve the offenders from the necessity of registering. and they can bo fined ad. lib. till they do register. : . 'd- , ■