COMMUNIST CONVICTED

Grey River Argus, 3 August 1940, Page 8

COMMUNIST CONVICTED

GIVEN PROBATION Subversive Statement [Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, August 2. Prohibition against addressing public meetings, or taking any part in public movements associated with the Communist political organisation, was part of th e sentence ixnposed by Mr Justice Fair, in the Suprem e Court, on Alexander Drennan, watersidei, who was found guilty by a jury of having made subversive statements, in contravention of the Public Safety Emergency Regulations, at a street meeting in the course of the Auckland West by-election in May last. Asked what he had to say, Drennan said he had always based politics on the best interests of th e working class, and what he considered the best interests of the people of New Zealand.

He called Edward A. Girven, secretary of the Waterside Workers’ Union, to testify to his honesty and working ability. The Judge remarked that prisoner had been previously sentenced for procuring lawlessness and inciting disorder also that he had been convicted for assault and obstructing the police, also for obstructing in a public place. Mr Girven said: We were not aware of these convictions. In passing sentence, the Judge saia the jury had made n strong recommendation to mercy on grounds tnat the statements were made in the heat of an election campaign. No single individual was entitled to set up his own individual opinion against that of the communty, as expressed by the law. That was what prisoner had repeatedly tried to do. Despite prisoner’s past record, however, h e . haa decided to treat him in the same way as had been done with hi s fellow Communist Morey. He would be released on probation for three years, on the usual statutory conditions. He was also ordered to pay £25 towards the costs of the prosecution.