COMMUNIST LEADER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 289, 7 December 1931, Page 8

COMMUNIST LEADER.

QUESTIONED IN COURT. "ORDERS TO CARRY ON." SOURCES OF 'fflS FUNDS. Charles Francis Eiley, a leader, of the Communist section of the Christchurch unemployed, was convicted in the Magistrate's Court last week, of being an idle and disorderly. person in that he had insufficient lawful visible means of support. Upon his giving an undertaking that he would accept relief work, Eilev was ordered to come up for sentence if called upon within six months. Mr. E. D. Mosley was. on the Bench. Eiley was not represented by counsel and pleaded not guilty . Senior-Sergeant Fox said Eiley had not only been doing no work himself and making no effort to obtain it, but be had been creating disorder amongst those who were working. A quantity of literature of a doubtful nature had been found in Eiley's possession by the police. Eiley here interrupted by saying that the would like to see some others in the dock with him. There were hundreds of others in the same position as himself in Cbristcburch. t$ Continuing, the senior segneant said that Eilev had been living on relief rations and charity from a community in which he was doing his best to stir up trouble. Inflammatory Pamphlets. John W. Beanland, chairman of the ■ works committee of the Christehurch City Council, said that on one occasion EHey had complained about the work he was being given on relief, claiming: that it should be done by the council employees. Eiley had used offensive language and had been dismissed. "Have you any questions to ask, j Eiley?" inquired the magistrate. j Eiley: No, I don't want to ask him I questions. He's biased. i Detective N. W. Laugesen said that he had known Eiley for a year, in connection with the defendant's public activities for the Communist party. He had done no work since September, had been speaking at public meetings- and circulating inflammatory literature. When arrested Eiley had his pockets crammed with such pamphlets. At the conclusion of the police case, the magistrate explained to Eiley that the onus lay - upon him of disproving.

the charge of having no lawful vi* means of support.

I ' "This -is going to be fought oat on a legal issue/' declared Eiley, to the amusement of the spectators. _ * The magistrate advised Eiley.tomafe a statement, but he would not ta& the Bible handed to him by the GourUrdeilv when he went into the witness-box. - "HI take a Communist .oath,. &® Eilev. - , The Magistrate: There is no sua thing. , ,-n Eilev then made a .declaratori to teii the truth. He stated that he -had; W no work for two months. Evm m £5 10/ given to him. of which he gar £2 5/ to his wife. Asked where le igt the monev to take a trip to W&P£ he said that he "had fl coming m regularly from the F.O.SJL-Tnends ■ Soviet Eussia." ; . '■"■; v-3„ '■' What is the object of ftis-E« from Eussia?" inquired the - -senior.» geant. fr ffl Eilev said the money "came :w» friends. . '". ~».„_,' The Senior Sergeant: Oh, not tro* Eussia ?

Rilev: No. I -wish it did. . "I am not- going to work for ibA week," Rilev declared when the A ' trat-e asked what efforts to obtain a livelihood. -u,«»r "That means bread and - WtWi though," remarked the magistrate. '•I C am not going to li™ on breadj butter." declared Riley. TonlM a« good iob at £4 a under trade ninj conditions and 111 work all .right-*" less." . ■ To tie senior sergeant's "9"? Tvhr he did not go to Eussift, W»» that "be bad orders to ™ TY J f*% He would not disclose from i»».F.; '"orders" came. Educated in ChristchnrcL. -^ Riley told the magistrate that he had a* secondary school ter . Christchurch and had attended Cam bury College from 1919 to been a life-long reader of A*n - t - •'T understand you are on relief." said the magistrate Riler appeared for sentence _« _ resumed sitting of the Court my** afternoon. 0 out/ , "It seems to be the only *»7 ***■■ Riler agreed. , oU me.fl ? "Mr. Bailer has come to he has for so many of you I \ the magistrate. 1 want to say have been waited upon dunn^ tleD) en: cheon adjournment by t J ree r^Ußßn y who are members 01 tne v { . partv. Thov inform me lha y£yir«*' ment regarding the receipt-ql - t > : from the' F.O.S.R. is untrue, and Jj, the result of your own imaginary