SWASTIKAS IN CITY

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29102, 14 January 1960, Page 9

SWASTIKAS IN CITY

Restaurant, Synagogue

A swastika, crudely drawn in black lacquer paint, was found daubed on the glass door of Gerald’s Restaurant, in New Regent street, yesterday morning, while two pieces of cardboard bearing redcrayoned swastikas were found on Tuesday against the side wall of the synagogue in Gloucester street. The swastika found on the door of Gerald’s Restaurant—one of the proprietors in which is Mi Gerald Sussman, a German-born Jew—was drawn about 15in high, and was probably put there between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m. yesterday. It appeared to have been painted in a hurry. The defacement of buildings in this way is an offence under the Police Offences Act, and the Christchurch C. 1.8. is inquiring into the incident. The two pieces of cardboard found placed against the synagogue were fashioned out of the two parts of a shirt box, and bore the roughly-scrawled words- “ Nazis kill more Jews,” “Down with Jews.” and “Hitler will live forever.” Police informed The black swastika on the door of Gerald’s Restaurant was discovered by Miss Frances Tranter, an assistant to the restaurant’s chef, when she arrived at work about 8.30 a.m. yesterday. Mr Sussman was informed, and complained to the police, who removed the sign shortly after 9 a.m., but not before it had been seen by a number of passers-by. Mr Sussman, who became a naturalised Australian and fought with the Australian forces during World War 11, said yesterday that he did not believe the painting ol the swastika on the restaurant indicated that any real antiSemitism existed in New Zealand “1 have found that most New Zealanders are respectable, de cent, and honourable citizens.’ said Mr Sussman. “They just would not stoop to such a thing.’ The swastika could have been painted oy some immigrant with anti-Jewish feelings or possibly by larrikins, said Mr Sussman. Mr Sussman’s partner in the restaurant. Mr Leon Langley, has some Jewish blood, but is not a Jew.