COMMUNIST ACTIVITY.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19854, 15 February 1930, Page 15

COMMUNIST ACTIVITY.

PROPAGANDA IN SOUTH AFRICA. ASSEMBLY TAKING PRECAUTIONS, (CNIIED PRESS ASSOCIATION* —BT TSBtOrUff TEIEGBAPH—COPTB.IGHT.) (Received February 14th, f p.m4 CAPE TOWN, February M. The South African Assembly appeared to be unimpressed by the speeoh of the Minister for Justice, when moving the second riding of the Riotous Assemblies Bill, giving the Minister power to prohibit public gatherings, and to prevent the engendering of hostility between Europeans and other sections. _ . Mr O. Pirow explained that the necessity for the Bill arose out of a. Communist leader's speech in the Supreme Court, contending that the doctrines he espoused, and preached were bona fide. The Minister announced -'that" the Berlin International had . dispatched a notorious agitator to organise Communism. in South Africa, and. since October, 1928, the Internationale hadi sent funds, though the Government had failed to trace the amounts or the method of transmission. An offshoot of the League against Imperialism had sent money to cover the expenses of two delegates to. the conference at Frankfurt of the' Workers' Internationale, which had three known branches in South Africa. He read recent Internationale instructions, advocating a general strike of nati.ves, non-payment of taxes, and an unemployment demonstration on March" 6th.

Characterising the recent, events as danger signals, the Minister stressed a warning that if once Europeans got out of hand, and lynch law "were introduced; it would never be expunged in their lifetime. He announced an. amendment excluding the European trade movement, also reputable newspapers from a clause against propaganda. "•' ■ " Opposition Labour,, pressed for the •recognition of . the supremacy.. of the Courts.

The Bill wm referred to a-select oommitteo.