INCITING DISORDER

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 13, 13 December 1932, Page 7

INCITING DISORDER

“AT BEHEST OF MOSCOW.’’

HUNGER MARCH LEADER,

SENTENCE OF TWO YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT.

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received December 13, 10.6 a.m. LONDON, Dec. J2.

Sidney John Elias, chairman of the Unemployed Workers’ Union, wuo was charged with inciting two members of the union, by means of a letter sent from Moscow, to cause discontent, was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment. Mr Justice Charles declared that lie was sure the jury would agree that 1 the case had been free from political bias. Britain’s policy was to allow people to express any views and advocate ar.v revolution they wished, provided tbyV refrained from inciting o-hers to disorder and violence. Elias had admitted that the hunger march was aimed not ai drawing attention to troubles bravely borne, but at inciting the mass to “struggle against the capitalistic state.” Demonstrations requiring police intervention were unlawful, the Judge added.

In passing sentence, Mr Justice Charles said: “The jury bus rightly convicted Elias. The Unemployed VVnkers’ Movement interests workers only because tho British worker is honest and law-abiding. But one in a thousand is led astray by activities which Elias prosecuted at the behest of Moscow. The maximum sentence is iar too short.” A well-dressed woman shouted : How dare you arrogate the right to speak for the workers. To hell with Capitalist justice.”

“You must fight tho police terror and agitate J for tho chiefs’ dismissal, ’ declared a long letter from Moscow, instructing Messrs Hannington and Einfys-Llewellyn, of tho Unemployed Workers’ Union, signed by Klias, tho police stated at an earlier hearing. Thirty-five were arrested owing to tho discovery of the when the polico raided Hannington’s office. Elias, chairman of the movement, wrote tho letter during a visit to Russia. Ho was charged with inciting Hannington and Llewellyn to causo discontent, dissatisfaction and illwill between the different classes of His Majesty’s subjects and create public disturbtanccs against tho polico.