TRIP TO RUSSIA OFFERED

Taranaki Daily News, 13 July 1933, Page 5

TRIP TO RUSSIA OFFERED

COMMUNISTS AT LOWER HUTT. MAYOR PROMISES PASSAGE. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. A public statement made by the Mayor of Lower Hutt, Mr. J. W. Andrews, that he had offered to arrange for the passage to Russia of any Communist in the district who desired to go there, was denied recently by a resident of Lower Hutt. The Mayor to-day said he had written to the person concerned offering to meet the cost of passage to Russia for him, his wife and three children. “After my election and before I had been installed as Mayor I received a deputation of three well-known Communists,” said Mr. Andrews. “I promised to investigate three cases of distress which they placed before me and appealed to the speakers to allow me an opportunity to organise some practical assistance for the relief workers and their families.

“On condition they undertook to cease their agitating I undertook to find food and clothing for all distressed cases. They declined my offer. I then asked one of them if he knew of any other country he liked better than New Zealand, and if so I would arrange transport for him, but my offer was received in silence. Later he announced that he would agree to go to Russia if I would pay the cost of the passage for himself, his wife and three children. I have accepted the increased liability and have asked him if he will be ready to leave by the Makura on July 25.”