EX-COMMUNIST CHARGED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 137, 11 June 1932, Page 13

EX-COMMUNIST CHARGED.

BRAZIER DENIES VAGRANCY. V RECEIVES PRIVATE INCOME. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Friday. An ex-member of the Communist party, Phillip Gordon Brazier, pleaded not guilty to a charge of vagrancy before Mr. E. Page, S.M., in the Police Court to day, on the ground that he had a private income of £1 a week from overseas. Detective Sergeant Revell said accused was an agitator of an extreme type. "I have heard him saying, when he was speaking at a Communist open-air meeting, that he would not work under present conditions. He describes the relief camps aa slave camps and does his utmost to prevent others from going to these camps." Counsel for accused said he had evidence to show that accused was in receipt of money from abroad and had paid his board. Accused was not now a member of the Communist party and had not taken part in any Communist movement since his release from prison. Brazier stilted he was a stud groom by trade, but had taken on labouring in New Zealand. Since his release from gaol he had been trying to get labouring work, but had not been successful. While in gaol he had written to his parents and explained the position in New Zealand. They had sent him money and undertaken to send him money each week. Mr. Revell: Ts it not n fact that you will not go to camps and work? Accused : Tt is a fact that lam barred from camp because I am in receipt of a private income. Mr, Page said he would take time to consider the case. Accused was remanded until Tuesday.