Larkin Case

The Review Fund

IT is proposed to submit to the New Guinea Administration and the Com monwealth Government a plea that the conviction of James Larkin on a charge of manslaughter, and his sentence of ten years’ imprisonment with hard labour, be reviewed. A fund, for the engagement of skilled counsel in connection with this matter, is being created by public sub scriptions, which were invited through the “Pacific Islands Monthly.” The fol lowing subscriptions have been received by the editor of the “P.1.M.”: “Waiben,” Thursday Is £3 3 0 Pacific Publications Ltd 3 3 0 Henry Dexter, Milne Bay, Papua 2 0 0 “Ex-Manusite,” T.N.G 3 3 0 B. G. Edgell, Manus, T.N.G, .. 10 10 0 W. G. Blundell, Samarai, Papua 10 0 H. Adams, Patlangat, Rabaul .. 3 3 0 “Prospector,” Salamaua, T.N.G,.. S 0 0 Per a New Guinea resident— “Yorks” £1; “Nobby’s” 10/-; Toomba £1; “Mogai” 10/-;“ Lin con” £1; “Denial” £1; “Lono” £1 6 0 0 Total £37 2 0 The subscribers to the fund will be ad vised, by personal letter, of the steps which are being taken.

Some outspoken letters accompanied the above subscriptions. We quote from a few; “Yorks”: “Believe me, the ‘white-men’ here appreciate the effort you have made on Larkin’s behalf.”

“Prospector”: “I think the verdict was a frightful piece of injustice, and thank God someone has moved at last. No greater argument for trial by jury could be quoted than this case.”

“Ex-Manusite”: “I frequently met James Larkin, and he was liked by all.

Even natives had the greatest respect for him for his straightforwardness. . . The crime fell a long way short of murder and the sentence fell short of justice. ... I cannot understand the lack of interest shown by the Returned Soldiers’ Associa tion —Larkin was among their ranks and ever-ready to plead their cause.”

H. Adams: “It is a wrong principle that one presiding judge alone should try a person on a capital charge—this system (the absence of a jury) should certainly be overhauled. It is not for me to say that justice has not been carried out —but I do say that the system is one that would permit a miscarriage of justice. . . The method of taking and translating native evidence could be improved. ‘Pidgin’ has different meanings which vary with the district in which it is spoken. In some cases the native will allow a misinterpre tation to pass, rather than argue."