AUCKLAND RIOT CHARGES

Hawera Star, Volume LI, 26 May 1932, Page 4

AUCKLAND RIOT CHARGES

FURTHER DENIALS MADE. WEDNESDAY EVIDENCE CONCLUDED. (By Te'.'.-graph —Press Association.) AUCKLAND, May 25. In further proceedings this afternodn in the defence in the Supreme Court trial of the 14 men accused of rioting on April 14 a number -of the accused entered the witness box and denied participation in the rioting or looting. George Devereaux denied having struck or thrown missiles at any of the police. His Honour :A witness says he saw you near where a constable was lying on the ground, and that you shouted. “Kick his in.” Witness: I deny it, absolutely. Bourbeau, who took the oath by affirmation, said he was a waterside worker. He denied the statement made by the prosecution that he had warned a constable that the demonstrators would be armed. Constable Wilson told him the police were going to “get right into it,” and witness told him it would be better if he used his wisdom and did not talk like that. Counsel for the defence: What nationality are you —I am of French people. Not a Russian, by any chance ?—No.and I don’t believe in rushing things, either. (Laughter). Some amusement was caused when witness described how he tried to get across the road and was stopped by “a big, fat policeman.” “Excuse me, sir.” he said, to the judge, “but he was like that —very portly.” Replying to the Crown Prosecutor, Bourbeau said he'was formerly a member of the Communist Party, but he severed his connection, with it in December last. “Since then I have been a member of only two organisations, the Waterside Workers’ Union and the Uenniployed Association,” he said. “I do not even belong to a church,” he added. The Crown Prosecutor: But I think you were one of the founders of the Communist Society in Auckland ?- - What does that matter? His Honour: Answer the question! Witness: I was one of the early members, and I was a member for four years. I kept my counsel to myself. The Crown Prosecutor: Why did you leave them? —I had a slight difference as to tactics, and I resigned. The Communist theory is the overthrow of the Capitalistic system by force ,if necessary, is it not —Not absolutely so. And to acompany strikes with violence?—That is what you say. What do you say about it?—l say no. I have not heard it. • You have been convicted of selling Communist literature on two occasions?—Yes. Were you the librarian of the -organisation that distributed this literature? —No. But you did distribute it? —Yes, certainly. The case was adjourned.