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PETITION FOR RELEASE

EX-MINISTER IN PRISON OFFENCES OF SUBVERSION (By Telegraph.—Special to Times) WELLINGTON. Friday A petition signed by 1120 persons praying for the release from gaol of Douglas Murdoch Martin was presented in the House of Representatives today by the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. R. Semple. Martin was found guilty last July of two offences under the Public Safety Emergency Regulations and was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment on each charge, the sentences to be comulative. The petitioners claim that Martin, who was a Minister of the Presbyterian Church until his resignation in 1938. in making the speeches in connection with which he was charged was exercising the right of free speech and meeting which was the traditional right of every British subject, and that his imprisonment for such activities was a negation of such right. They also claim that the sentence imposed on him was excessive.

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT19401012.2.80

Bibliographic details

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21242, 12 October 1940, Page 9

Word Count
150

PETITION FOR RELEASE Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21242, 12 October 1940, Page 9

PETITION FOR RELEASE Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21242, 12 October 1940, Page 9