SEQUEL TO MAIL ROBBERY.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 February 1926, Page 1

SEQUEL TO MAIL ROBBERY.

COMMUNIST BOOKS. DUNEDIN, February G. There has been an interesting sequel to Iho disappearance of mail matter Iron: the Christchurch-bound postal van lelt in the railway siding at Dunedin on January 17. Detectives found in the recovered papers seditions Communist literature addressed to the West Const, and traced it to a young married compositor. Kenneth Af’Lonn Baxter. They confronted Baxter today with a charge under tho War Regulations Act that lie had in his possession a document, to wit, “The A.B.C. of Communism,” that incited to lawlessness and violence, contrary to number four of the AA r ar Regulations, 1915.” Baxter pleaded guilty.

Chief Detective Lewis described the offence ns serious, carrying a penalty of twelve months’ imprisonment or a fine of cion. “ This literature is undoubtedly of a dangerous nature,” he added, “and if supplied to the right quarters could do untold damage in time of industrial trouble.” For tbe accused. Air Thompson said that, the literature had been forwarded to him when he was an agent of the Communist Party. The parly had since been disbanded, but the literature was still coming to him. Alost of it bad been in the house for two years. Owing to the ill-health of his wife, the moused had formed the intention boFore the charge was laid of going to Australia to find the money to pay

his debts. He bad sold the furniture and had attempted to dispose of the

books for tbe same reason. If the neeusetl were fined or sent to gaol, lie would be unable to go to Australia and no doubt the authorities would bo better pleased if a man holding views such as his were to leave Xew Zealand. Counsel suggested that the case should he adjourned on condition that Baxter loft the country. Running through the pages of the hook, Mr Bartholomew, S.M.. remarked that flip A.R.C. of Communism was written by two Russians “ with unpronounceable names,” and one of the authors was a. co-author with Lenin and so was evidently a man of standing in Communistic circles. It was a complete exposition of the philosophy of Communism, which, shortly put, taught that the Communistic state could lie brought about only by a bloody revolution. Ho quoted samples, one of which was, “the workers must impose their. will with a civil war fought with rifles, bayonets and artillery.”

“ Those hooks.” added the Alagistrate, " advocate a certain state of society. Well and good. Xo harm is done, but thev also suggest certain methods by which that state of society is to ho brought about, and in that lies the harm. Xo one with ordinary reasoning powers and a public school education would deal in this stuff unless he were a fool or a knave, but there are certain elements to whom it would he dangerous. Even in Xew Zealand there have been some lawless outbreaks. and if this pernicious literature is broadcasted grave danger might result.” The Court had therefore, the A[*gistrate said, to take a serious view of such cases. However, in Baxter’s case there were certain' aspects that he would consider.

“ It would l>e a pity to detain him in Xew Zealand,” added the Magistrate in ordering that accused come up for sentence within twelve months, sentence to he suspended provided Baxter remained outside of Xew Zealand. The Magistrate added that -it was “better that Baxter should leave Xew Zealand for Xew Zealand’s good.”

The boys charged with the theft of the mails from the van were admitted to twelve months’ probation.