Charges of Subversion

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 308, 17 December 1940, Page 7

Charges of Subversion

STICKERS AND COMMUNIST LITERATURE AUCKLAND, Dec. 16. Subversion charges laid under the Public Safety Emergency Regulations and relating to notices posted on poles aud walls in Grafton and the city ou the night of December 5 were preferred agninst four men in the Police Court. The accused included three carpenters, Henry Joseph Human (aged 39), Phillip Leslie Hardcastle (aged 32j aud Herbert Henry Swann (aged 31) and a cabinetmaker, Alec Silverman (aged 27). All the accused were charged with publishing a subversive sticker bearing the words “No more troops overseas. New Zealand comes first.” Human, Hardcastle and ffivann were further charged with possessing pamphlets entitled “Forward,” aud paper stickers with a view to facilitating the publication of a subversive statement. The cases were heard separately, that against Hurnian being taken first. Sergeant Holt said he was on special police car duty with Constable Palmer on December 5 aud saw Hurmau put a sticker on a poat at the Intersection of Park Road and Carlton Gore Road, Grafton. Several other stickers still damp were found on posts in the vicinity. fcioine had been placed on Home Guard appeal posters. When searched Human had more stickers, a damp cloth, copies of a cyclo-styled publication “Forward” and a book by Karl Marx in his pockets. Witnos/ said Human and Silverman were together as tho car drove past them. Witness saw Silverman with his hand on “something white” against the power accumulator box whero a recently-placed sticker was found when the men were accosted a few minutes later.

Counsel for Silverman (Mr. Hogben) submitted that there was no case against him, the Magistrate replying that Silverman and Hurmau were found together and it would bo the duty ot the Supreme Court to decide their case. Giving testimony against Hardcastle, Constable Mathieson said he was with Constable Dallas in Fanshawe Street on December 5 when the two men came under suspicion. Ten freshly-damped stickers were found on traffic signs, doors, windows and poles along the route the men followed. “When they saw us they crossed the road, and we

called on them to stop,” witness continued. “Constable Dallas gave chase to Swann. I asked, Hardcastle what he had in his pockets and he demanded to

see my warrant. I arrested him aud searched him at the police station, finding 38 fresh stickers and 12 copies of

“Forward,” two more of which were found in his room when it was searched.”

Electing trial by jury Hurman, Hardcastle and Silverman pleaded not guilty and were committed to the Supreme Court. Each was granted bail in self of £2OO and two sureties of £IOO each. Swann was remanded until to-day and allowed the same bail as the other accused.