SUMMONS SERVED

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 11, 14 January 1932, Page 11

SUMMONS SERVED

LEADER OF NEW GUARD

GOVERNMENT ACTION

RECENT REFERENCES

USE OF INSULTING WORDS

United Press Association—By Electric Tel*>

• sraph—Copyright,, (Received 14th January, 10 a.m.)' SYDNEY, This Day. 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 Camp* bell'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. ' v■ ■-

Colonel • Campbell- appears in Court to-morrow. The maximum fine for the offence, providing : ; that the charge is proved, is £5.. And the person may in addition be ; b'ouh(l over to be of good behaviour. for twelve months or, failing such bond being entered into, the person may ba sentenced to six months' imprisonment. •' '•■■"■-■". '-■'

The sudden action is die culraina« tion 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 the summops.liad" been served, the leader cif the New Guard said: "I am, just amused, of' course. My defence will bring some facts before the public.that should be highly amusing."^-■ ,~ .

The charge refers to,the remarks of the leader of the New Guard published in a Sydney message on -Tuesday.' Colonel Campbell is reported as saying that the people of New South Wales: would not permit Mr. Lang to open the Sydney Harbour Bridge. "We in our I generation are for ever dishonoured it we allow Mr. Lang to open the bridge^ and we of the New Guard tell hiiri now that he will not be given that honour. Let ub see that somebody of quality, if possible some Prince of the Eoyal bloodj opens it oh behalf of the people-of thia State."' ;■ ■ ■'■ -. ■ .?■■" * .- ■ _ ..;.-'o

The New Guard's petition to :th« ■King, praying for the dissolution of tha New South Wales Assembly, declares that certain member's of Parliament' have protected disloyalists, Communists,: and seditionists,.- allowed , the ius'e of school buildings for. the propagation of seditious doctrines, and even appointed persons to the-Legislative CouJicil'wha: were, avowedly disloyal.- The Government has/: repudiated- debts to1 bond* holders ' and has enacted legislation gravely infringing the rights of the people. ..-.'. •; '-.'■ • '

The petition 'is being circulated throughout New" South. Wales, and is expected to be extensively signed". J- , Referring to the petition, Colonel Campbell said: "if-it is"1 not granted, then I ■yvill' put before :ybuffor adoption, other means quite; lawful, and appreciated by constitutional lawyers of higK standing "but, believe me, very, ' very, effective." - ;- •. ' ;.;.'■:■*