JIM EDWARDS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 248, 10 June 1932, Page 5

JIM EDWARDS

(Press. Assn.-

CASE COMMENCES AUCKLAND COMMUNIST LEADER'S PART IN RIOT POLICE EVIDENCE

— By Telegrayh— Ccpyrlgnt).

AUCKLAND, Thursday. The hearing of eharges against an Auckland Communist leader, James Henry Edwards, canvasser, aged 40, was begun before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., at tbe Police Court this mornjing. There was much interest in the I case, and tbe portion of the Court reserved for the public was packed. Edwards was eharged with inciting lawlessness on April 14 (the night of the riot outside the Town Hall) and also with taking part in a riot. Renresented by a prominent barrister, he pleaded not guilty. The Crown Prosecutor led the evidence! The first charge was a summary one, the second being an indictable charge. 'Take Their Batons Off Them." Gonstable G. Edwards said the procession going to the Town Hall passed him near John Court's. When part of the proeession came from Grey Avenue to the front of the Town Hall, he saw accused, who was in possession of a megaphone. The police were at the front doors of the Town Hall. He heard Edwards call to the crowd. "Get round them boys, and take their batons off them." A rush was then made against the police, banner poles being used on the police. Counsel: Is that the only remark by Edwards that you heard? — Yes. Accused Struck Down Constable Hendren, on duty at the Town Hall doors, said that after portion of the proeession entered the Town Hall he receivcd instructions to close the doors, as the hall was full. When witness went outside, stones and missiles were thrown at the doors. Edwards was in front of them, and he heard a megaphone. Edwards said: "Come on boys, get round the police and take their batons off them. They have shown no violenee, so we'll — " That was as far as Edwards got. as he was struck down by a police officer. Later, when he saw Edwards, he was standing over a constable, who was on the ground, Witness went to arrest Edwards, but was lcnocked iown and kicked. Evidence that Edwards was leading the Auckland Central Unemployed in ';he proeession was given by Constable Huckstep. Edwards called out, "Shall we fight?" and some of the crowd re,fiied "Yes." "Edwards was on the balustrade outside tbe Town Hall working the crowd up into a frenzy," said Constable Allen. "He told the crowd that if the police interfered to take their batons off them. He also told them to rush the Town Hall doors." Edwards in Taxi Cyril V. Whittle, a taxi driver, said he received a telephone message at 8.40 p.m. on April 14 to go to Park Road. There a man got in the car. ] He had his head bandaged and asked to be driven to the Town Hall. Witness said: "You don't expect me to take 70 u to a crowd like that?" The man "eplied: "I'm Jim Edwards and while l'm in your car you are the safest man in Auckland to-night." Witness drove accused to the Town Hall, where two men came up and spoke to Edwards. Edwards asked them how things were going. Witness -hen drove Edwards to his home in Manning Street and returned with Edwards and a woman whom he took to be Mrs Edwards. On returning to 'he Town Hall there was a discussion about wasting time, and Edwards was lissuaded by Mrs Edwards from getting out of the car. Edwards said: "I can't be a coward. I must go baek." Edwards also said: "I'm not going to ';be cooler to-night. I'll get half a dozen men to picket my house tonight." Several police constables gave evidence on the lines of the evidence given by previous witnesses. On account of the illness of a police witness, the court was ad-" I'ourned until Monday, when the indictable charge will also be heard.