Russian's Complaint Of U.S.'s "Uncivilised" Methods

Chronicle (Levin), 16 March 1949, Page 5

Russian's Complaint Of U.S.'s "Uncivilised" Methods

Eeceived Tuesday, 7.20 p.m. NEW YORK, March 14. Valentin Gubitchev, the Eussian engineer accused of 'espionage, alleged today in the Federal Court that the United States had treated him in "an uncivilised way," and asked for more, time to reflect whether he wanted a, court-appointed lawyer to represent him! in pleading to the eharges. Judgc. Sirnon Eifkind gave Gubitchev another: day to deeide. Gubitchev said he felt he had been treated as if he had been in " an in- : quisition of the Middle Ages. " He said he rftiderstood the laws of the: United States but his experienee since; the Federal Bureau of Investigationj arrested him and Judith Copion (the United States .Tustiee Department employee) had baffled him. He added: "The provoc-ative methods used against me, a Soviet dipJomat, show me that this is a comedy. I believe that as a diplomat it is illegai for me to be brought here and judgeh by this court. The methods of con , ■ducting these court proceedings have an aim directed against my country. 1 would like to repeat that my arrest; was entirely illegai and my rights wero violated. " The Judge replied: "I realise that' you an'e in a strange land and the habits, customs and traditions which make up our freedom are unknown to! you. There is no -comedy in this action : as f-ar as the court is> concerned. It! would be a niistake to treat it wihhj levity aud without grave eonsidera-j tion."

loading of produce of the Auckland Farmers' Freezing Company. Two gangs were working on the Port Dunedin which has boycotted soda aslv aboard, and one gang was working on the Australia Star. These men were loading meat not covered by the boyeott. The loading of butter was refused by four gangs on Monday. The Trojan Star was working normally today loading meat not eonsigned by the freezing company. She is likely to be affeeted by the boyeott shortly as she has. a quantity of cheese from cool stores to load. It is reported that the watersiders; decided today that they would not' work alongside non-union labour whilethe Northumberland was a preference ship. It is understood they agreecf that they should not work with nonunionists while unionjs'ts were unemployed. This decision will have the, effect of >reducing the number of gangs on the night shift as watersiders who; do not wish to woi'k after 5 p.m. are, replaced each night with non-unionists. A special stopwork meeting of Auck- • land watersiders was held this morning and lasted about an hour. Later a long meeting of the Auckland Ibraueh exeeutive -was held. 'On behalf of the executive the branch Vj.ce-president (Mr. N. Donaldson) and the secretary (Mr. E. E. Jonesl issued a statement which

said that the union was gravely concerned that the W-aterfront Industry Authority had declared the North-' umberland a preference ship. The Authority should have acceptdd the; proposal of the national officials of the' union to susppnd ifs decision while discussions were pjbcepdiu.g between arepre-* sentatives of the Carpeuters' Union and the national 'executive of ilie Eed-

• ^ ^ ■ — eration of Lab'our, said the statement. The decision of the Authority, which precipitated the immobilisation of the po.t, was considered by- members of the union at a special ' stopwork meeting and they exprossed their determination to resist. The union suggested that the dispute could be settled if the employers lifted the ban on engaging unemployed workeis.