ANTI-WAR DELEGATES

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 November 1934, Page 7

ANTI-WAR DELEGATES

NEW ZEALANDER “WANTED” PROHIBITION DEFIED: [BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. COPYBIGHT.] SYDNEY, November 14. . Customs authorities here are diligently searching for a man named Gerald Griffin, a New Zealander, who allegedly arrived under an assumed name last Monday. He was prohibited from , entering the Commonwealth about a fortnight ago, and was shipped back to New Zealand. The Customs say tixat he has disguised his appearance by using hbrned-rimmed glasses, but his baggage is being detained. A man purporting to be Griffin, tonight, gave the Press representatives an interview, which is being published in the morning. He threatens legal action against the Commonwealth, and is determined to see his mission through here, at the Anti-war Congress.

PURPOSE OF VISIT. (Rec'd. November 15, Noon.) SYDNEY, November 15. Griffin, in an interview, gave details of his deportation a fortnight ago. He explained that he arrived on November 3, and after being subjected to a dictation test in the Dutch language, in which he failed, he was transferred to another vessel, which left an hour later for New Zealand. “I have returned to fulfil the mission for which I was appointed, and that is to discuss relations between the opponents of war and Fascism in Australia and New Zealand,” he said. Asked when and how he came to Sydney, Griffin replied: “I arrived early this week, but came to Sydney only this morning. I intend to remain here until I have made my object clear to the public of Australia.” ARREST TO FOLLOW. CANBERRA, November 15. Attorney-General Menzies announced that the report that Griffin had evaded the Federal Immigration authorities and re-entered Australia would be investigated immediately. If it was found that Griffin was in Australia, steps would be taken by the Commonwtealth Government to arrest him, and he would be dealt with according to law. Any person who was a prohibited immigrant and who was found in Australia was liable to imprisonment for six months, or deportation, or both.

JUMP ON WHARF. SYDNEY, November 15. Kisch is apparently more seriously injured than at first thought, when he leapt from the deck of the Strathaird. Kisch sent a telegram to a Melbourne friend, wherein he says: “Apparently it is a double fracture of the leg.” It is understood attempts, will be made to have Kisch placed in the hospital. Upon his arrival at Sydney to-day, arrangements have been made by the unions for a demonstration at the wharf. More than twenty-five thousand leaflets setting out the case for Kisch’s relief have been distributed.

ARMS TRAFFIC CONTROL NEW YORK, November 13. The “New York Time’s” Washington correspondent says: The Secretary' of State, Senator Cordell Hull, revealed to-day what may be America’s last gesture toward the salvaging of some tangible accomplishment from the Disarmament Conference. He announced that the State Department has drafted a convention to provide for a control over arms traffic similar to that negotiated in Geneva in 1925, which American envoys are now presenting to various European countries, prior to its formal consideration by the Disarmament Bureau, which meets at Geneva on November 21. . The text of the Convention has not been made public, but it is understood that it would license both the export and import of arms, with full publicity being demanded for all international transactions. It is pointed out that the Administration hopes to negotiate such Convention through the Disarmament Conference, but as a separate treaty, and not as a part of any general treaty that might be concluded.

SIR M. HANKEY’S TOUR. LONDON, November 14. In connection with Sir Maurice Hankey’s visit to the Dominions, the “Daily Herald’s” Lobbyist describes as an understatement a reply, given to a question in the House of Commons by the Prime Minister relating to Sir M. Hankey’s tour. The Lobbyist says: Sir Maurice Hankey’s tour is definitely not merely a personal one. He is discussing naval and military questions with each of the Dominion Governments. His reported object is to induce them to increase their armaments and forces under an elaborate plan foi Imperial war co-operation. The question is being asked in the Lobby. “Why this hush hush and pretence, and this statement that the tour is purely a private one?”