AFRICAN TRIALS

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28158, 22 December 1956, Page 11

AFRICAN TRIALS

Armed Police In Streets

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 11 p.m.) JOHANNESBURG, Dec. 21

About 400 police armed with Sten guns, revolvers, spears and assegais, today guarded the improvised Court in Johannesburg where the preparatory hearing of treason charges against 152 people is being held. The inquiry resumed today only briefly. It was then adjourned until January 9, 1957. Today’s strong guard followed yesterday's demonstrations outside the Court, a converted Army drill hall, in which four Europeans and 18 Africans were injured when police opened fire and made baton charges. The force on duty today comprised about 200 European policemen armed with Sten guns and revolvers, and a similar number of non-European police carrying spears and assegais. The police on duty today were drawn from all parts of Witwatersrand, which includes Johannesburg, and from Pretoria, including the police training college there. Later, they cordoned off streets around the drill hall.

The shooting yesterday caused the second postponement of the day’s proceedings. Soon after hearing began in the morning, there was a short adjournment after defence counsel had threatened to withdraw unless a wire, cage surrounding those in custody was modified.

The hearing was resumed after agreement had been reached to alter the cage. The alterations were carried out later in the evening. All in custody were granted bail yesterday. The Independent Labour Party and the London Co-operative Society both protested to South Africa House. London. today against the arrest of 152 people on treason allegations in South Africa.

The Independent Labour Party, in its letter to the High Commissioner (Dr. J. E. Holloway), says that it believes the South African Government's recent action is “part of a campaign .to intimidate those who support the rights of people of all races and colours to elementary justice and freedom and equality before the law.”

The letter from the Political Committee of the London Co-operative Society stronglv deplores the policy of race discrimination as practised by the Government of South Africa.