"AGITATORS."

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 93, 20 April 1932, Page 7

"AGITATORS."

COMMUNISTS GAOLED. "AGAINST POLICY TO WORK." DETECTIVES' EVIDENCE. COLLECTION" AT DOMAIN. Said by detectives. to be well-known Communists and agitators, who did no work, two men, William John B-udd, 35, seaman, and a native of England, and Roderick Kenneth Rowlands, 34, a New Zealander, were each sentenced to three months' imprisonment by Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., at the Police Court to-day, on charges deeming them to be idle and disorderly persons, with insufficient means of support. Roth pleaded not guilty. Budd was further charged with taking part in an unlawful assembly, which began to disturb the peace tumultuously on April 14. On this charge he was remanded until Friday. Complaints About Collecting. Detective Nalder said he had known Rowlands for eight years. He rarely worked, except to lead a blind man about some years ago. Although his parents had a home in Auckland, Rowlands had been living at the house of J. H. Edwards, the well-known Communist leader, in Ponsonby. "He spends his whole time associating with Communists and speaking from their platform at meetings," added Detective Nalder. "We have received complaints about him collecting money at the Domain on Sunday and in the city yesterday. Yesterday he was with Mrs. Edwards with a collection box. Last night I went to Mrs. Edwards' house and arrested Rowlands there. I found three two-shilling pieces, several shillings and a large number of sixpences and threepenny bits. These, Mrs. Edwards claimed, she had collected. She added that Rowlands was with her when she collected the money. She explained that the money was to purchase groceries for those on strike who wanted provisions. Mrs. Edwards has eight children. I have repeatedly heard Rowlands, speaking from the platform, state that the Government had no solution for the unemployment problem, and heard him urge rather drastic measures." "Very Active Communist."

Concerning' Budd, Detective Nalder said he had never known him to do any work, except a little after he arrived in Auckland from England about four years ago. "After Budd arrived here," continued the detective, "he went to live with a woman named Sarah Lazarovitch, a well-known and prominent Communist. She kept him. Budd is a very active member of the local Communist party in Auckland. When told that he had been going around to union secretaries in Auckland trying to get the unions to come out on strike, Budd wanted to know if the union secretaries had told me about it." Detective Nalder produced a small piece of iron bar, which he said he found in one of Budd's pockets. Budd explained that he found it in the street, and added that he thought it might come in handy. "Budd spends all hie time agitating among the unemployed," added Mr. Nalder. "When I was down in Huntly several days ago, I found him there agitating. He has not reported at the Labour Bureau since last October." Mr. Hunt: The point is, he never works ?—No, I have not known him to work. Detective Allsopp' said he had known Budd for four years. He was a "straight-out loafer and agitator," and never worked. Witness also knew Rowlands, and to his knowledge he did no work, preferring to agitate among the unemployed. "Both are not workers themselves," remarked the magistrate. Detective Allsopp: No, they say it's against their policy to work.

"These two men, especially Budd, are usually to be found, at the head of their processions, and they were both at the eviction case in Norfolk Street some months ago, when the house was barricaded," said Detective McWhirter, who corroborated the evidence of the other two officers. Both Men Silent. Counsel for both men said lie did not intend to call accused to give evidence. Mr. Hunt: You are leaving the case at that, are you? All the evidence 1 have heard is that these men do not work, but spend their time agitating. There is no other evidence before me. Rowlands' father was then called. He said that his son had always lived at home, excepting one or two occasions. "My boy is unable to work, as he once got a bullet through his head, and down one side he is paralysed," said witness. Detective Sergeant Kelly: Has he been home during and since the week-end?— No. You know, of course, he has about 12 previous convictions against him? —Yes. for offences committed years ago. I cannot control him, you know. Detective Sergeant Kelly: He got a month for his part in the disturbance in Norfolk Street some months ago?— Yes. "Neither of these men has given cvi deuce, and they have not even explained their means of livelihood," said M> Hunt, in sentencing them.