REMARKS IN SPEECHES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 168, 15 June 1940, Page 9

REMARKS IN SPEECHES

CHARGES LAID. COMMUNISTS IN COURT. For Press Association. AUCKLAND, June 14. Summary charges under the Public Safety Emergency Regulations of making subversive statements in speeches at meetings held in support of the Communist candidate during the recent Auckland West by-election campaign were preferred against three members of the Communist Party in the Magistrate’s Court before Mr F. H. Levien, S.M. Accused were Thomas Stanley, secretary of the Auckland General Labourers’ Union, John Reginald Angelo, and Douglas James Morey. All pleaded not guilty to the charges and conducted tlieir own defence. Stanley and Angelo are already serving prison sentences for publishing prevails • subversive statements. Stanley was charged in respect of a speech made at a meeting on May 13, when there were about 50 present. References were made in the speech, a transcript copy of which was produced by a shorthand writer, to the war, which accused described as “another Imperialist slaughter.” Accused, mentioning that he was already serving a sentence of nine months’ imprisonment for an offence which was part of the same series of addresses, said it seemed unfair that he should be charged again.

The Magistrate said that the second offence avas committed before accused was served with the summons in respect of the previous offence and. for that reason, he was convicted without further penalty. The charge against Angelo referred to a speech made by him before about 20 listeners at a meeting on May 7. The evidence showed that he also made references to “imperialist war.” “I can see that the gaol will be pretty full if people are to be .sentenced for making speeches such as mine,” said accused. “I am now serving ,a sentence of six months.” The Grown Prosecutor (Mr V. R., Meredith) said that Angelo's speech was less subversive than Stanley’s, being mainlv an election address. Agreeing with this view. s the Magistrate reserved his decision in respect of ..Angelo till Monday. j The third accused, Morey, elected trial in the Supreme Court on the charge against him referring to statements made while speaking at a meeting attended bv about 20 persons on Mav 8. He pleaded not guilty, reserved his defence and was committed for trial, bail of £75 with one surety for £75 being granted. »