WHARF TRADING

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 18, 16 October 1942, Page 5

WHARF TRADING

Strong Condemnation By Judge “It is a most improper and highly reprehensible practice,” said' Mr. Justice Blair in the Supreme Court, Wellington, yesterday, in condemning strongly the purchase by waterside workers of goods from the crews of overseas vessels. The practice was described by two foremen stevedores as being commom "It has been cheerfully asserted by Che’ defence that such transactions are perfectly honest, but if that practice is sanctified, the law about the receipt, of stolen property goes overboard. I hope you of the jury will take strong measures to show that it is highly improper. “No wonder pillaging is rife when two witnesses have the effrontery to say that it is the practice to buy goods at low prices on boats and ask no questions. It’s a wrong thing to do, and meu who do that are not fit for their job on the wharf,” continued his Honour. It was a reasonable suggestion that such goods were stolen, and to buy them that way facilitated their disposal. He thought the statement that such purchases were common was a slur on the great body of the waterside workers. These remarks were addressed to the jury by his Honour in the ease against Robert James Smith, foreman stevedore, who was charged with the theft of or the receipt, of stolen goods from the cargo of a ship of the Federal Steam Navigation Co.. Ltd. After a retirement of slightly over four hours, tho jury informed Mr. Justice Blair that it could uot reach a decision on either charge. A new trial next week was applied for by the Crown Prosecutor, Mr. W. H. Cunningham. Bail was allowed.