NEW GUARD

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11538, 15 January 1932, Page 5

NEW GUARD

LEADER SERVED WITH SUMMONS.

ALLEGED INSULTING WORDS,

COLONEL CAMPBELL AMUSED.

(U.P.A. by Elec. Tel. Copyright) SYDNEY, Jan. 11.

Colonel Eric Campbell, leader o. the New Guard, was to-night served with a summons at the instance of the Lang Government charging him with using insulting words in 'the course of a recent speech. Detectives visited Colonel Campbell’s home and served the summons. The action was taken under section 8A of the Vagrancy Act, 1902, which legislates against dangerous and riotous statements. Colonel Campbell appears in court to-morrow. ■ The maximum fine for the offence, providing the charge is proved, is £5, and the person may in addition be bound over to be of good behaviour for 12 months, or failing sack bond being entered into, the person may he sentenced to six months’ imprisonment.

The sudden action is the culmination of the Government’s attention to Colonel Campbell’s speeches. The Ministers conferred during the last two days with the Crown law officers and police officials.

Interviewed after the 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.”

Tn the speech referred to Colonel Campbell said: “The people of New South Wales will not permit Mr Lang to open the Sydney Harbor Bridge. We in our generation will be for ever dishonored if we allow him to open it, and we of the New Guard tell him now that he will not be given that honor. Let us see that somebody of quality, if possible some Prince of Royal blood, opens the bridge on behalf of the people of this State”.