ANTI-WAR DELEGATE

Greymouth Evening Star, 10 November 1934, Page 7

ANTI-WAR DELEGATE

LABOUR PARTY’S PROTEST. [per press association.] WELLINGTON, November 9. The treatment accorded Mr Gerald Griffin, of Wellington, who was recently refused permission by Australian Customs officials to land in Sydney, after he had failed to pass a test in the Dutch language, was considered to-day by the National Executive of the New Zealand Labour Party. At the conclusion of the meeting, the following statement was issued:—“The action -of the Commonwealth authorities in refusing to allow Gerald Griffin to land in Australia was considered, and it was decided that strong representations be made to the New Zealand Government. The Executive was unanimous in its condemnation of the treatment accorded to Mr Griffin, and will urge the Government to demand an explanation from the Commonwealth Government, together with adequate reparation and compensation for Mr Griffin.” The statement continued: “The setting up of an education test in the Dutch language was considered to be most unfair, and the refusal to allow New Zealand citizens to land in Australia on such pretext is an outrage on the freedom of the individual,’ and is calculated to endanger the good relations which have existed between the two countries.”

DEFENCE CONFERENCE (Rec. Novembei’ 10, 8 a.m.) SYDNEY, November 9. An important conference to promote further co-operation and co-ordination between Australia and New Zealand in matters of defence will shortly be held at Wellington (New Zealand). Australia will be represented by Sir Geo. Pearce, the former Minister of Defence. The conference will synchronise with the visit to the Dominion of Sir Maurice Hankey, secretary to the Committee of Imperial Defence.