ALLEGED PLOT

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24274, 15 May 1942, Page 6

ALLEGED PLOT

ASSIST ENEMY! FORCES FOUR PEOPLE FOR TRIAL "AUSTRALIA FIRST" CASE PERTH, May 14 "Enough of politics, because Australians must now be educated by bombs and bayonets." This sentence was quoted in evidence in the "Australia First" case on Monday as an extract from a letter allegedly found in the flat of one of the accused. Laurence Frederick Bullock, Nancy Rachel Krakouer, Charles Leonard Williams, and Edward Cunningham Quic-ke are charged with having, between December 7, 1941, and March 9, 1942, conspired together to assist, within Australia, the armed forces of Japan. During the hearing Frederick Thomas, an investigator attached to Military Intelligence, said he had joined the Communist Party to get information for the police. His job was to uncover un-Australian activities. He said that the final clause of a proclamation Bullock read at a meeting of Bullock, Krakouer, Williams, and himself on March 8 declared:— The Alleged Proclamation "I, Laurence Frederick Bullock, of the Australia First Party, have taken Governmental power and authority in the name of the Australian people. The armed forces of the Commonwealth are now under the orders of my Minister for the Army, and the war in the interests of capital and Communism has finished. Persistence by anyone will bring instant death." After this meeting, Thomas proceeded, Bullock drove him home, and on the way Williams said: "If the Japanese invade the eastern States, the Australia First Movement will take over there. 1 hope they invade here, so that we can take over the Commonwealth. We shall have to get more members for our Government." Cross-examined by Mr. Seaton (for •Quicke), Thomas said that he was born in Auckland and had been rejected for the Australian Imperial Force. He was interested in political and international affairs and in matters affecting social progress. When be visited Quicke at Balingup, said Thomas, he was hopeful that Quicke would put down something in writing, and he did so. Quicke's views on sabotage were not expressed as a result of any suggestions by witness about blowing up bridges and viaducts. Convicted for Jumping Trains To Mr. Hughes (for Williams and Bullock), Thomas said that he had been convicted for jumping trains a good many times in the eastern States. Mr. Hughes (a defence counsel): Did you join the Communist Party to get information for the police? Thomas: I don't think I should answer that question. The magistrate, Mr. Wallwork: You must. Thomas then answered: "Yes. ' He added that his job was to uncover unAustralian activities. Mr. Hughes: You are aware, no doubt, that Communists have become respectable and that the season has become close regarding them ? Thomas: I know nothing about that. With the completion of the Crown case, all four accused reserved their defence and were committed for trial at the June sitting of the Supreme Court. Bail for each was fixed at a personal surety of £SOO, with two other approved sureties of £SOO. The hearing lasted five days and a total of 15 witnesses gave evidence for the Crown. The Australian Minister for Army, Mr. F. M. Forde, at Canberra on March 27 announced the arrests of 18 men and one woman allegedly associated with "Australia First" movement.

ADVANCE IN AIRCRAFT

QUANTITY AND QUALITY BRITISH PRODUCTION (Eecd. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, May 13 Broadcasting to-night, the Minister of Aircraft Production, Colonel J. J. Llewellin, reviewed the progress made in the aircraft industry since the fall of France. He said the workers of Britain, in spite of rigours of bombing, had provided the aeroplanes which the expanding needs of the Services demanded, says the British official wireless. So much so, that in the past eight months we had been able to give substantial help to Russia in her hour of need. The numbers produced in recent months showed an immense increase over those in the early months of the Ministry, said the Minister, but there was something else equally as important as quantity. He said the present types of Spitfires and Hurricanes bore little resemblance to those which won fame two years ago. They could fly faster and higher and carry a greater weight of gunpower and were better armed. Nor were these the only types of fighter ill the Royal Air Force service. There were others, some of which wore already in production and some were still being developed, which would ensure that our aircraft would remain superior to those thoy would be up against. The latest bombers were also greatly superior to earlier types. They were the ones that dropped the really big bombs. Not only were the Royal Air Force aircraft of the highest quality on the offensive but also in defensive action. The Minister disclosed that of hundreds of thousands now working in the aircraft industry the majority are women. FEW OBJECTORS Of the 1205 men called in the last ballot in the No. 4 (Hamilton) area only five have lodged objections to service. They are based on conscienti- i ous grounds.