THE NEW GUARD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21642, 12 May 1932, Page 7

THE NEW GUARD

CHARGE AGAINST MINISTERS ATTACK ON MR GARDEN ALLEGED TO BE A “ FRAME UP ” (United Press Association.) (By Electrlr Telegraph—Copyright.) SYDNEY, May 11. (Received May 11, at 8 p.m.) There was uproar in the Legislative Assembly when Mr R. Weaver, Deputy Leader of the Opposition, moved for a royal commission to inquire into the actions of certain members of Cabinet in entering a conspiracy with a man named Captain Warneford, lately a member of the New Guard, to break the law by the recent assault on Mr J. S. Garden, Mr Weaver declared that Captain Warneford, acting under instructions from the Government arid payment of £0 a week, had organised the Fascist Legion embracing New Guardsmen without the authority of the New Guard, culminating in the attack on Mr Garden. The whole thing was a “ frame up.” The Attorney-general (Mr Lamara) replied that it was quite impossible to grant a royal commission. He doubted whether Mr Weaver himself believed what he had told the House. There was not one word of truth in the allegation against the Ministers, but the best answer was the fact that the men who had assaulted Mr Garden had voluntarily pleaded guilty. Mr Weaver’s motion was negatived in a purely party division. POLICE STATEMENT DENIED PLOT NEVER CONTEMPLATED. SYDNEY, May 11. “ The statements made by Commissioner Childs regarding an alleged plot by the New Guard to abduct Ministers of the Crown and incarcerate them in the Berrima Gaol are utterly without foundation,” stated Colonel Campbell. “No such plot was ever contemplated, and I defy him or anyone else to prove the contrary. Such an idea is absolutely foreign to our policy and principles.”