BY-ELECTION ECHO.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 156, 3 July 1940, Page 3

BY-ELECTION ECHO.

MAN FOR TRIAL. ———- WATERSIDER CHARGED. AIXEGED SUBVERSIVE SPEECH. Yet another man who took part in the recent Auckland by-election campaign and spoke on behalf of the Communist candidate, Gordon Watson, has been prosecuted by the police for allegedly making a subversive remark. •This morning, Alexander Drennan, waterside worker, appeared on summons before Mr. F. H. Levien, S.M., in the Police Court, charged with publishing a subversive statement—a speech made at the corner, of Xewton and Great North Roads, on May 10. Drennan, who conducted his own case, elected to be tried by a jury, after unsuccessfully submitting to the magistrate that the charge should be dismissed.

Brian O. Snowden, a clerk employed by the Government., and a relieving "Hansard" reporter, produced shorthand notes he had taken at an open-air Communists' meeting held at the corner of Newton Road and Great North Road, on the night of May 10, in support of the Communist candidate in the byelection. Witness also produced a typed transcript of his notes.

Longhand notes which he had taken of several statements made by Drennan were also put in by Constable A. J. Cummings. Witness said the number at the meeting varied, but he would say that approximately 50 people were present. Pacific Situation. Asked if he had anything to say, Drennan said the first speaker had outlined the ecoi omic programme of- the Communist party—the programme for the immediate situation. "I was the middle speaker, knowing that the candidate, Mr. Gordon Watson, would more or less repeat the economic programme outlined by the first speaker," added Drennan. "So I was just raising perspectives of the growing menace, or advance to war in the Pacific. The facts that I brought to light are current opinions that find their way into the daily and into current periodicals. and the conclusions I drew from these perspectives are just simple working class conclusions, drawn from the basis of the factors that arise from the Paeilic situation. That being so, I consider that those conclusions are valid and therefore, reasonable, and the parts of the information that are laid must be taken as a whole. The sentences must not be taken outside the context. As these opinions are not only confined to working class or Communist opinions, but are opinions that find their way into the Press, I do not consider that the regulations intend to make, charges of this kind, when the conclusions drawn from those opinions are quite reasonable. "I submit to your Worship that you dismiss this charge because I do not consider that a jury in a democratic country like New Zealand will establish a case against me. and find me guilty/' Mr. Levien: It is not my task to find you guilty or not guilty. I think the matter should go to the Supreme Court. Drennan pleaded not guilty and was committed for trial at the next sessions of the Supreme Court. Bail in a surety of £7-3 was allowed.