EXECUTIONS IN CUBA

Press, Volume C, Issue 29633, 2 October 1961, Page 13

EXECUTIONS IN CUBA

More Coming, Castro Says

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) HAVANA. September 30. The Prime Minister of Cuba (Dr. Fidel Castro) told the nation yesterday that his firing squads had only begun their work. Later, two men were executed. 46 were sentenced to long prison terms and the regime demanded death for still another man in Santiago, United Press International reported. The new executions raised the total this month to 28. Dr. Castro announced at a mass meeting in Havana’s civic square a “purity" campaign to start with the closing of gambling casinos and pool halls. He also closed the door on Cubans who left the island after he took power nearly three years ago. He said those who entered Cuba illegally would face firing squads.

He alleged that many of those who left Cuba and later returned were counterrevolutionary organisers. “The doors are open to those who wish to leave . . . but whoever goes to the United States as a resident or tourist will need special permission of the Government to return,” the Prime Minister declared.

New Party In Australia

(N.Z. Press Assn.- -Copyright) MELBOURNE. Sept. 30. A new political party, the Commonwealth Centre Party, has been formed and will contest 15 seats at the Federal elections on December 9. The seats to be contested will be mainly in Victoria. The president is Mr Daniel Bourke, of the Melbourne suburb of Essendon, and the general secretary is Mr Bernard Rees, of Labrobe, about 30 miles north-east of Melbourne, both former Labour supporters.

Mr Rees said yesterday the party would fight the election on a 20-point programme, to be fully revealed on Monday. The programme included a single Parliament for the whole of Australia, with no State Parliaments, and closet settlement, with the break-ing-up of vast unused holdings.

Mr Rees denied that members of the new party were merely a group of dissidents He said they represented Australia i Labour Party. Democratic Labour Party and Progressive Labour and Liberal Party viewpoints.

Girl Thought To Be Safe

(N.Z Press Association) WELLINGTON. Oct. 1. The police are not concerned at the moment for the safety of Noeline Daphne McKenzie, a 15-year-old girl who bad been missing from her Naenae home sines September 13. They have reason to believe the girl is safe and well in the South Island.