DODGING THE DEFENCE ACT.

West Coast Times, 15 June 1912, Page 3

DODGING THE DEFENCE ACT.

ALLEGED COUNSELLING SON TO 11 EE USE TO REGISTER. WARNING BY MAGISTRATE. _PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT.] WAIHI, June 14. Henry Rogers, was charged that he did counsel Carl Rogers, his sou, to refuse to register under the Defence Act. This case was the sequel to charges for breaches of the Defence Act against Carl Rogers and others, heard on tiic previous Court day, in which defendant admitted having influenced his sou in not registering. Defendant pleaded not guilty. Evidence was given by Sorgt. Wohlraann to the effect that during the hearing of the previous cases, defen dant took the responsibility of his sons’ refusal and said he would rather see them go to gaol than comply with the law. Deefndant denied this.

Evidence was also given by Captain Morton to the effect that the impression ho gathered from defendant was that ho would rather see his sons go / . t;> gaol than allow them to register. Defendant was also questioned, and sail the boys had made up their own minds in the matter and would prefer to go to gaol. Ho alleged that it was ease of persecution. There was no need for him to counsel his hoys not to register for some of his family wer,e anti-military, and the boys had every opportunity of reading literature against the Act, Defendant asserted that they were not fighting for their own property, as they hod none; but were fighting for other people’s property. Defendant submitted that ho was not guilty of counselling. The hoys were determined themselves. On his oath he would say that he had not directly counselled his sons not to re- ; gister. The" Magistrate said that defendant’s evidence on last Court day, gave the impression that he had advised them in the matter. Under the circumstances there was not sufficient evidence to justify him in entering a conviction. He warned defendant to advise a person not to register was against the law. The case would be dismissed.