ANTI-SOVIET RAID

Hokitika Guardian, 17 May 1927, Page 3

ANTI-SOVIET RAID

[Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.] SIR J. HICKS EXPLAINS. LONDON, May 16. Sir Joynson Hicks on entering the Commons was received with prolonged Ministerial and ironical Labour cheers. Replying to questions lie said about 250 persons were found on the premises of Arcos. He was not yet aide to particularize their nationalities. Mr Worthington Evans on Wednesday last sent him information which satisfied him that a certain official document was, or had heen in the possession of persons employed on Arcos premises. The document bore on the face the fact that it was the property of the Government and that it was not to be circulated directly or indirectly to the press. It was a document of which it was known that unauthorised persons were attempting to gain copies . Sir Joynson I licks added: “In view of this information. I consulted Mr Baldwin and Sir A. Chamberlain and with their knowledge I authorised the police to apply for a search warrant under the Official Secrets Act. The building was shared

By Arcos and the Russian Trade Delegation. There was tree inter-com-munication throughout the building, i The .search was carried out in strict i conformity with the warrant. I am - informed that the search only ended ] on Sunday at midnight. The document in question was not found. The | police took possession of certain papers, , the examination of which is proceed- , ing.” 1 (Received this day at 10.15 a.iiiA , LONDON, May 10. i . Rir Jo.vnson Hicks replying to Air | Henderson (Home Secretary) hoped to s

make a fuller statement in a few days. If the Opposition desired to question the conduct of himself and the Government, the usual means were open. Mr Lloyd George said, whether the documents were found or not, it was a a grave matter and ought to he discussed. Mr Lanxhury asked: “Does Sir Joynson Hicks definitely state the missfner document was stolen hv some-

one connected with the Arcos.” Sir Joynson Hicks replied: “I said I was satisfied the document, had certainly been. in the possession of Arcos. ” At question time, Sir Locker Lampson said that in the trade agreement with the Soviet Government, the latter recognised debts to Britain, hut later issued a statement that they did not consider Themselves bound by the Neither the Russian Trade Delegation in London nor its staff, or the premises had enjoyed diplomatic immunity, but they enjoyed certain privileges mentioned in the Trade Agreement. POLICE GET OUT. LONDON, May 16. The police evacuated Arcos at six o’clock this evening and the caretaker immediately locked the gates