100th anniversary for those jailed for WW1 “sedition”

100th anniversary commemorations for those jailed for “sedition” during World War I

PRESS STATEMENT
13 December 2016

On Thursday 15 December there will be commemorations in Auckland and Christchurch, marking 100 years since arrests began for “sedition”.

Altogether 67 New Zealanders were jailed simply because they spoke out against military conscription, or World War I itself.

The first significant conviction was that of Bob Semple, who was sentenced on 15 December 1916 to one year in a Christchurch jail for a “seditious utterance”. Semple was later a Cabinet minister is the First Labour Government. Also imprisoned that month was Peter Fraser, later our Prime Minister, followed by three other members of his future Cabinet (Tim Armstrong, Jim O’Brien and Paddy Webb).

In Auckland we will be carrying plaques for each of six men imprisoned in Mt Eden, including one for James Thorn, later a Labour MP. There will also be a placard for six Huntly miners, jailed at Mt Eden for a “seditious” strike.

In Christchurch there will be a ceremony for those imprisoned there, including Bob Semple, Fred Cooke, Tim Armstrong, George Samms, Reg Williams, Peter Ramsey and the Rev. James Chapple.

In both cities there will be a re-enactment of the arrests and conviction. The Auckland re-enactment is scripted by well-known playwright, Dean Parker.

AUCKLAND: Thursday, 15 December. Meet 12 noon, Quaker House, 115 Mt Eden Rd. Walk to Mt Eden prison entrance, (Normanby Rd) for a 12.30pm ceremony.
[Sponsored by the Labour History Group, Quakers and Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom.]

CHRISTCHURCH: Thursday, 15 December. 12 noon. Outside Canterbury Museum.
[Sponsored by the Disarmament and Security Centre.]

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