UNLICENSED SPEECH.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXV, Issue 18948, 6 August 1931, Page 13

UNLICENSED SPEECH.

mr McGovern, m.p., fined. Onltsd Proas Association —By Electrlo Telegrapn—Gopyrtgnt LONDON, August 4. Mr J. McGovern, M.P., and eight others were fined £3, in default 20 days’ imprisonmnent. Mr McGovern exclaimed from the dock: “I don't want time to pay, I will go to prison,” but as Mr McGovern’s counsel asked that time should be given, the Magistrate ordered that 10 days should be allowed in which to pay. Mr McGovern declares his intention of persisting in the free speech campaign.

Scenes unprecedented in the history of Scottish courts marked the opening of the trial of Mr McGovern, who is Labour member for Shettleston, Glasgow. Crowds entered the court, preceded by a preacher bearing a cross which he refused to remove. Hymn singing followed until the arrival of the magistrates. Upon their entry Mr McGovern and his comrades stood up and led boisterous singing of the hymn “Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus.” An angry scene occurred in the House of Commons on July 2, when Mr McGuvun demanded the release of a number of laymen who were imprisoned for preaching on Glasgow Green. He declined to resume his seat and was suspended. Mr McGovern refused to leave the House and defied the Ser-geant-at-Arms to remove him. He planted his feet on the bench in front and grasped the bench on which he was sitting. Four attendants grasped him, endeavouring to release his grip, and a fierce struggle ensued while the House looked on in shocked silence. ‘The Speaker had to suspend the sitting as the struggling mass disappeared through the lobby door. On resuming the Speaker announced that Mr McGovern would be suspended for the •remainder of the session.