PRIME MINISTER’S FAREWELL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4505, 16 September 1930, Page 1

PRIME MINISTER’S FAREWELL.

WIT ABE DEMON STRATTON HAS SEQUEL IN COURT.

A sorpiel to the demonstration dt unemployed on Prince's Wlmrf on the /lay of the departure for England of the Prime Minister, the Hon. G. \Y. Forbes, took place in the Auckland Police Court last Friday, when Philip Gordon Brazier. George Build and William Murphy, described by the police as members of the Communist Parly, were charged with behaving in a disorderly manner in a public place. All three pleaded not guilty.

Constable Chaleroft, who was on duty at the gangway of: the Aorangi on August 2ti, said that while the Prime Minister was being farewelled a large crowd of unemployed mraehed up. The accuse) I Murphy was at the head of the procession carrying a banner.

On arrival at the barrier Murphy mounted a soap 'box and started to address the crowd on line wharf. Witness told him not to make a speech and after some argument lie slopped. Incited by the accused a rush was made on the (barrier and Brazier, Murphy and others got through, Ini! were

jeeted. Murphy said many of the crowd did not have pluck enough lo rush the harrier. They had come to see the Prime Minister, who .should Ik- pulled oft' the ship.

COMMUNISTS FROM ABROAD,

Corroborative evidence was given by Detective Nalder, who said l here were about 100 unemployed mi I lit; wharf. A rush was made on the barrier, anil although Budd was unsuccessful in getting through he certainly was inciting the crowd. The leaders were the three accused, whoso behaviour was most diso.rderi.y- They were all members of the Communist Party amt none of them worked. Biuld bad been here three or four years. Bradior stowed away from Australia, and Miirph y came from England under the Flock House scheme.

Murphy: I did nor. The Magistrate, Mr. F. Iv. Hunt That is a good thing.

Continuing. Detective Nalder said sßudd was one of the founders id: the unemployed __ organisation, and witness had never known him do any work. In the opinion of Detective Moore the accused were extremely disorderly and there was danger of people being pushed oil - the wharf bv the crowd.

The Magistrate (to the accused) : There is no doubt that to a certain extent you were disorderly, but I think the ends of justice will be met if I convict you and order you to come up for sentence if called upon. These meetings are dangerous on places like wharves.

UNION OP UNEMPLOYED. A charge of being idle and disorderly and with having insufficient lawful means of support was also preferred against Brazier, who pleaded not guilty. .Detective Moore >said he had repeatedly warned the accused to inaikc some attempt, to ' get worik. Last month he was offered work iin a farm, but he said 25/- a week would not suit him and he declined the offer. He had. been living at the Auckland. City Mission’s “doss” house and was still obtaining free meals at the Manna House. The Accused: 1 am working at present. The Union of Unemployed and Casual Workers is paying me £1 a week for organisation wodfe. “L have known him since June, and he has done no work to my Iknoavljedgse,” said Detective Mulder. Witness said the accused did little else but hold meetings to agitate the unemployed. He ..came to Mew Zealand as a stowaway a, short time ago, and the so-called union consisted of accused aud other agitators. “You ha.ve been in gaol on remand for three days, and I think you have been punished enough,’ said the magistrate to accused, in ordering him to come up for sentence if called upon. The magistrate added thait it was quite time Brazier made an attempt to do some honest work.