SUMMONS SERVED

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 94, 15 January 1932, Page 11

SUMMONS SERVED

New Guard Leader’s' N.S.W. Speech “I AM JUST AMUSED”' By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Sydney, January 14. Colonel Eric Campbell, leader of the New Guard, last night was served with a summons at the instance of the Lang Government, charging him with using insulting words in the course of a speech. Detectives visited Colonel Campbell’s home and served the summons. The action was taken under section 8a of the Vagrancy Act, 1902. which provides for dangerous and riotous statements. Colonel Campbell will appear jn couyt to-morrow. The maximum fine for the offence, providing that the charge is proved, is £5. And the person may in addition be bound over to be of good behaviour for twelve months, or, failing such bond being entered into, the person may be sentenced to six months’ imprisonment. The sudden action is the culmination of the Government’s attention to Colonel Campbell’s speeches. Ministers have conferred during the last two days with Crown Law officers- and police officials. Interviewed after tlie summons had been served, the leader of the New Guard said: “I am Just amused, of course. My defence will bring some facts before the public that should be highly amusing.”