FORMING NEW PARTY

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXX, Issue 276, 27 November 1935, Page 3

FORMING NEW PARTY

POLITICAL ASPIRANT

WROTE TO GOVERNOR-GENERAL

Telling Mr. E. C. Levvey, S.M., that he had been trying for some . time past to form a new political ; party with a really good policy, ■ Thomas Richard Jones, described as i a labourer, aged 27, pleaded not 1 guilty in the Magistrate’s Court in I Christchurch to a charge of being idle and disorderly. Jones added that !he had written to the Governor- ' General seeking his support, but his Excellency had replied stating that he was interested, but could not give active support.

Sub-Inspector Mac Lean said Jones had been travelling round Rangiora and Belfast saying he was forming a new political party —at least, that ras what he was tolling the people. It was a lot of nonsense.

A constable said he had noticed Jones in Belfast, where he was behaving strangely. Jones told him that he was . selling second-hand magazines and books to raise money for his party and to pay organising expenses and hall rent. The books he sold, however, were very old and

ragged. Jones told the Court that he had been travelling through New Zealand for the past four years, paying his way. If people would not take money from him, he pressed it on them.

“Making Good Living.”

‘‘What have you been doing for a living?” asked the Magistrate. “I have been travelling with books on the West Coast, and making quite a good living,” replied Jones. “I have been taking £3 or £4 a week. The Magistrate: What about these meetings?

Jones: I have been forming a new political party, and I have had some

good meetings.

He went on to say that he had sent a copy of his policy to the GovernorGeneral, but his Excellency had replied that while interested, he could not give any assistance. However, continued Jones, he expected to get his party going later. During his travels through the country he had got to thinking about the troubles of the people, but the people had very little money and could not give him much support. He had a really good policy, too. (

The Magistrate: How long has this been going on? Jones: A couple of years.

He was further questioned by the Magistrate about his manner of living, and said that he intended to go

to Blenheim for the harvest very shortly. It was a bit late to get his party going now, however. A further detailed account of his hopes and ambitions was cut short by the Magistrate.

“Go on, get out,” he told Jones, and Jones walked meekly from the dock —convicted and discharged.