The Australian, 30 Jul 1969, p7
About 80 demonstrators picketed the Australian consulate office in New York today carrying signs reading: "Hitler lives in Australia," and "Australia has crimes against God."
The demonstration, against the banning of Scientology in Victoria, Western Australia and South Australia, was peaceful.
New Yorkers paid scant attention to the placard-bearers, who marched in a circle outside the building for two hours.
The banner signs were puzzling: "Repeal Australia's anti-religion laws," "God? No," and "Australia, The British Alcatraz." But perhaps the most puzzling was: "Prime Minister Bolte, Australia's Fuhrer."
When the demonstration ended at 1 pm, the acting consul-general Mr Frank Murray, received a deputation of two - a man who introduced himself as the Reverend Whitman, and his wife.
They handed over a petition, signed with about 80 names, demanding that the Federal Government care for the rights of the people and stop the repression of religion in Australia.
Mr Murray said the protest was belated as Victoria had banned the sect nearly four years ago after a royal commission inquiry.
About a dozen policemen eyed the silent demonstrators as they thrusted pamphlets into the hands of passers-by.
United Press reports that a similar demonstration was scheduled for later yesterday at the office of the Australian Trade Commission in Los Angeles, California.