Motor-cyclist Tied Swastika To Back

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31151, 30 August 1966, Page 15

Motor-cyclist Tied Swastika To Back

(N.Z. Press Association)

NEW PLYMOUTH, Aug. 29. A motor-cyclist who rode through Devon street, New Plymouth, on Friday night with a swastika flag tied to his back was fined £l5 in the New Plymouth Magistrate’s Court today. The youth, Brett Charles Whitaker, aged 18, an apprentice carpenter, was charged with behaving in an offensive manner in Devon street. He pleaded guilty before Mr A. W. Yortt, S.M. Sergeant A. P. Barber said Whitaker tied a large swastika flag to his back and rode through Devon street about 7.30 p.m. As he passed a group of motor-cyclists he raised his arm in a “heil Hitler” salute.

His action gave offence to many shoppers. At 10.25 the same evening Whitaker again rode through Devon street with the flag on his back.

When stopped by the police he adopted an unco-operative manner. Asked for an explanation he said, “What can you do about it?”

Whitaker had previously been before the Court, Sergeant Barber said. Whitaker told the Court he had been to a party and had been dared to wear the flag. He did not know the real meaning of the flag and did not realise it would cause offence. “I want to apologise to everyone I offended,” he said.