‘No Offence To Wear Swastika’

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31339, 8 April 1967, Page 3

‘No Offence To Wear Swastika’

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, April 7.

Today, more than 20 years after the end of the Nazi regime, it was no offence in law to wear the black swastika symbol, Mr D. G. Sinclair, S.M., ruled at Levin yesterday.

He dismissed a charge of offensive behaviour against 17-year-old John William Hatton, of Pahiatua.

Sergeant A. Davey, of Wellington, said Hatton was with a group of 40 to 50 youths wearing denim and leather jackets at the Levin motor races on March 18.

Flag On Jacket Hatton’s jacket had a six-inch-square swastika flag sewn on the back. The design was a Nazi flag, with red background and black swastika in

a white circle. The youths had drawn the

attention of the police by their behaviour, Sergeant Davey said. Mr R. J. Carruthers submitted that wearing the swastika was not an offence under the terms of the Police Offences Act. He did not call evidence.

The Magistrate ruled that wearing the swastika was not offensive in law by reason of the time lapse since the fall of the Nazi regime. Something more than mere wearing of the swastika was needed.

In dismissing the charge, he warned Hatton it was highly undesirable, nevertheless, to wear the swastika in public.