“RED WORKER"

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 125, 30 May 1932, Page 12

“RED WORKER"

i SEDITION ALLEGED CASES BEFORE COURT. COMMUNISTS CHARGED. Certain allegedly seditious passages in issues of the “Red Worker” on April 4 and 26 resulted in tho appearance of Richard Francis Griffin, a wellknown Communist leader in Wellington, Alexander Galbraith, Leslie Raymond McDowell, William Alexander George Lockhart, and Edward Hogan, before Mr. E. Page, S.M., at the Magistrate’s Court at Wellington last Friday on charges involving breaches of the War Regulations. The only cases proceeded with on Friday were those against Lockhart and Hogan, who were charged with selling or having in their possession for sale or distribution copies of the “Red Worker,” which it is alleged express' seditious intentions and advise and encourage lawlessness. Opening the case for the prosecution counsel for tho Crown said that the accused was seen at 11.10 a.m. on Ma.v 6 outside tho wharf gate opposite Brandon Street. He had a bundle ol “Red Workers” dated April 26, and was selling them to men coming off the wharf. Sergeant Sparks purchased two copies for a penny each. Tho copies, said counsel, were clearly seditious. Formal evidence was given by Sergeant Sparks as to the purchase of thu papers. “Whole Paper Seditious.” Counsel for tho Crown submitted that practically the whole of the document was seditious. In the first place it incited the removal of the Government by other than lawful means, and promoted hostility between workers and employers. Tho articles referred to in this connection were “May Day— Its Significance,” “Over tho Fence,” •‘Emergency Powers Act,” “Unemployed Unite for Struggle.” The following passages were among those quoted:—“The tide of retreat before the attacks of the bosses has been stemmed and the First of May marks a festival when we renew our youth and vigour, throw down the gauntlet of new demands, and prepare for coun-ter-attack.”

“When we have built up committees of tho workers in all enterprises and when wo have linked these together in a united front of struggle and when we have built up a virile, strong, and disciplined revolutionary party to act as tho vanguard in our struggles we shall be able to look forward with certainty to the day when New Zealand will celebrate a victorious May Day, when Capitalism and its evils will only be a memory, and when we, after our long winter of struggle, <hall prepare to enjoy the fruits of the earth. ’ ’ “Police arc given practically unlimited powers and meetings and demonstrations can be prohibited at short notice. Mass action is the strongest reply to these measures.” Counsel also submitted that the paper expressed tho intention of inciting disaffection against tho Government anl the administration of justice. ‘‘The Auckland Affair.” That intent, he submitted, was shown in the first place by an article entitled: “Revolt in Auckland,” from which the following extracts were quoted:— “Precipitated by the savage and cowardly actions of the bosses’ police, the long-standing dissatisfaction with tho slave-driving tactics of the ForbesCoates gang of boss-class political leaders came to a head in Auckland on the evening of Thursday, April 14, when fighting and rioting broke out and raged through Queen Street until midnight. The provocation of the police resulted in more than 200 casualties, and damage totalling thousands of pounds to Queen Street business premises. Workers of both sexes were batoned with tho utmost ferocity, while even innocent bystanders of the bourgeois type felt tho heavy end of the cudgels of tho brave and gallant constables. . . .”

“No one knows what may happen in the next few days, and the police ha.slices are busy lifting all the militant workers they can find and dumping them into gaol on trumped-up charges nnd remanding them on exorbitant bail. Hunt, the bosses’ magistrate, is demanding £250 and £5OO before our comrades will be released pending their trial. Such is boss-class justice.”

“Not only are the laws framed for the purpose of presenting the bosses, hut the Judges distort, tho law and the facts. The case of Comrade O’Reilly is an example.” “The Judges themselves give the lie to the so-called impartiality they arc supposed to possess. Acts of brutality committed against the working class are overlooked and, in fact, sometimes praised by the Judge.” ‘‘Of Great Importance.” Counsel for tho defendant said that the charge did not appear to be a very serious one. but in reality it was a matter of great importance to a certain class of people in New Zealand. It was unfortunate, under the circumstances, that at the present time people who were charged v\ th sedition were deprived of the right of trial by jury. He was confident, how ever, that his Worship would judge the matter with the same consideration as would be given by a jury. Counsel stated that the present position of tho working classes in New Zealand necessitated tho taking of a very decided political stand to protect their interests. Papers Rights. Referring to the right of newspapers to publish views on political questions, counsel said that it would be easy for him, as a lawyer, to pick out innuinertble statements that could be regarded as calculated to bring about disaffection between different sections of tho community in Now Zealand. Certain sections of the “Red Worker” inquestion were written in somewhat lurid language, but if one read it there was no suggestion of or invitation to vio (once. “May Day—lts Significance,” counsel said, did nothing to increase the struggle between employer and employee. It was an invitation to strengthen political associations and to tight in a political sense. Counsel said it was obviously the intention of the Government to stamp out the “Red Worker.” A great, risk would be run if any class of the community was debarred of the Press in which it- expressed its views. In reply counsel for the Crown maintained that, counsel for the defendant had not, attempted to apply the role-

vant sections of the Crimes Act, and point out where the articles in the “Red Worker” did not com? within those definitions. Mr. Page intimated that he would take time to read the “Red Worker” and consider authorities quoted by counsel before giving his de ision. When the case against Hogan was called counsel said that the same defence would apply in his case as in that of Lockhart. Counsel for the Crown then handed in a copy of the “Red Worker” dated April 4. He submitted that certain paragraphs in articles headed “Prepare for May Day,” “Ireland/’ “Arbitration,” “The 1.5. H.,” and “Dunedin,” incited His Majesty’s subjects to procure by unlawful means an alteration of the Government, and to promote feelings of hostility between different classes. Another pas sage, in the article “Arbitration,” he submitted, promoted feelings of illwill and discontent between different classes of people. Mr. Page reserved judgment in this case also. Other Cases Adjourned. Charges of selling or havb\, in their possession for sale or distribution copies of the “Red Worker” dated April 26, were preferred against Griffin and McDowell, a compositor, aged 23. Galbraith, a labourer and miner, aged 52, and John Joseph Robinson were eacih charged with printing or publishing the “Red Worker” of April 26. Counsel for the defendants applied for a remand until Thursday next. Air. Page said ho would be unable to hear the case on that day, but he would be able to take it on June 10. The case was adjourned until that date. Bail was renewed. Ex-Communist Charged. “Althorgh this is only a vagrancy case I would ask that bail should be substantial,” said Sub-Inspector Ward whej. Phillip Gordon Brazier, an exCommunist, aged 25, who was charged with being idle and disorderly, in that ho had insufficient lawful means of support, asked for a remand in order to secure witnesses. The sub-inspector said that the police regarded Brazier as one of the dangerous agitators who were going about endeavouring to cause disorder. Mr. Pago granted a remand for a fortnight. He fixed bail at £l5O, with one surety of £l5O.