SUBVERSIVE SPEECH MADE

Southland Times, Issue 24167, 2 July 1940, Page 8

SUBVERSIVE SPEECH MADE

MAN SENT TO PRISON FOR FOUR MONTHS (United Press Association) AUCKLAND, July 1. A sentence of four months’ imprisonment was imposed on Roy Stanley, a member o fthe Communist Party, in a j reserved decision given by Mr F. B. i Levien, S.M., in the Police Court on the case in which Stanley was charged with making a subversive statement under the Public Safety Emergency Regulations on May 3. The charge arose out of a speech made by the defendant when introducing the Communist candidate in the Auckland West by-election. “I have now had an opportunity of reading through the speech which was supposed to be an introduction for the candidate,” the Magistrate said. “This speech does tend to give one the impression that otherwise reasonable criticism runs beyond that and becomes an advocacy for one portion of the community—and that a large one—to rise up and stop this war because, even after victory, they were getting nothing of what they had fought for. That is really subversive. “I have given full weight to the fact that the words were spoken during an election campaign in which the Communist Party took the active part,” the Magistrate added. “However, I can see no doubt whatever as to the defendant’s speech being subversive within the meaning of the Statute. He will be convicted and sentenced to four months’ imprisonment.” The Magistrate said he had taken into account the somewhat different nature of the attack compared with that made by the other man charged, Ron Hurd. Counsel then gave notice of his intention to appeal. The Crown Prosecutor pointed out that under the regulations no person convicted under the regulations could be released from custody without the direction of the Attorney-General.