EVADING POLICE

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXII, Issue 12530, 16 April 1935, Page 5

EVADING POLICE

GERALD GRIFFIN’S DISCLOSURES. THIN DISGUISE IN SYDNEYGOVERNMENT PAYS HEAVILY FOR LITIGATION. (Press Association). WELLINGTON, April 15. Among the passengers by the Makura was Mr. Gerald Griffin, whose conviction as a prohibited immigrant was recently quashed by the High Court of Australia. Interviewed, lie said his return to Australia after his deportation was to achieve his original mission of making contact with the Australian anti-war movement, and, if possible, to initiate legal action against the Government. He arrived in Sydney on November 12, and was not arrested until November 25, For a time lie affected a disguise which consisted of wearing a hat and spectacles, though there was no need for him to adopt a disguise, for, xvilli tlio exception of one police constable, nobody knew him. Prior to Ins arrest lie walked openly about the streets of Sydney and .Melbourne, and had several interviews with press representatives who were let into the secret and did not break the confidence. Owing to the developments in tlic .Kisch case, it was considered advisable that lie should also bring the issue into the law courts, and alter speaking in the Sydney Domain lie allowed himself to be arrested. Griffin said that the costs in the Kisch ease wore £1235, and lie es J •mated that the costs in liis own case, which tlio Commonwealth Government had to pay, would be £ISOO.