ALLEGED CONSPIRACY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 31 August 1929, Page 2

ALLEGED CONSPIRACY.

EX-STRIKE PICKET GIVES EVIDENCE.

INTIMIDATION OF VOLUNTEERS

CJmt-eu Breus A*iK>ciaUuii —By illccinc I’elegrapti Copyright.; (Australian Plese Association..,

SYDNEY, Aug. 29. Startling evidence was given at the Police Court to-day in the proceedings against Jock Garden, Reeves -and other timber strike leaders whose case has been -before the court for several days. They are charged with conspiracy to molest and intimidate free labourers. Roy Bartlett, former strike picket, gave evidence that he was one of 20 or 30 at the Trades Hall some time ago. Reeves had addressed them, saying: “We -are here for the purpose of forming gangs to do away with volunteers. We will be armed with iron bars, -and: when we make contact we must not waste time by drawing a mere drop of blood, as they can be patched up and be back at work the next day. You have to break their bones; that is the only way by which you can keep them out of the yards.” Reeves had urged them to try to get jobs at the timber yards to burst up the machinery and disorganise the work as much as, possible, witness declared.

Witness had decided to take no part with those- gangs, but instead -applied for -and got- his former job -back, since when he had- carried a revolver, realising the risk he would run if he became a volunteer worker. The cases are not finished.