SUBVERSION ALLEGED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 15 June 1940, Page 5

SUBVERSION ALLEGED

COMMUNISTS CHARGED AT AUCKLAND SPEECHES DURING ELECTION CAMPAIGN [United Press Association] AUCKLAND, 14th June. 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 Levien, S.M. Accused were Thomas Stanley, secretary of the Auckland General Labourers’ Union, John Reginald Angelo, and Douglas James Morey. All pleaded not ruilty to the charges and conducted their own defence. Stanley and Angelo are already serving prison sentences for publishing previous subversive statements. Stanley was charged in respect of a speech made at a meeting on 13th May 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 was 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 7th May. The evidence showed that he also made references to “Imperialist whr.”

“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 Crown Prosecutor, Mr Meredith, said that Angelo’s speech was less subversive than Stanley’s, being mainly an election address.

Agreeing with this view, the Magistrate reserved ! '- decision in respect of Angelo till Monday.

The third accused. Morey, elected trial in the Supreme Court on the chareo against him referring to statements made while speaking at a meeting attended by about 20 persons on Bth May. He pleaded not guilty, reserving hfa defence arid was committed for trial, bail of £75 with one surety for £75 being granted. WELLINGTON INFORMATION DISMISSED [United Press Association] WELLINGTON. 14th June. In a reserved decision the Magistrate. Mr Goulding. dismissed the information against Walter George Bishop, who was charged under the Public Safety Emergency Regulations. 1940, with making a subversive statement, namely, a speech in the Trades Hall.