NO IMPRINT

Hokitika Guardian, 31 August 1931, Page 3

NO IMPRINT

THREE' MEN CHARGED. AUCKLAND;' August 28. A glimpse of the work of Commun--ists was revealed in the Police Court when three men, one of whom admitted that he, was a “.group leader” of the Communists in Auckland, appeared before kr Hunt, S.M., charged with dispersing papers without the name of the printer being thereon. Defendants were James Henry Edwards, R. Li. Lucas and Henry Smith. Mr Schramm, who appeared for /the three men, pleaded not guilty, stating that he had a technical defence to submit.

, Constable Johnson, in evidence, said that when standing at a street corner he -saw Edwards distributing pamphlets. There were men picketing a hotel nearby and telling people who. were going in that the house was “black.” Edwards was charged .with, dispersing a paper from a local industrial council without the-name pf printer thereon. •' /■ '

“There is a technical, .defence,” said Mr Schramm, “I maintain that this is not a document that requires th e name of the printer on it. If the name was required everyone who has a typewriter and who prints a document would have to register it.’,’

The Magistrate indicated that in the 'ca-se of Edwards there was a doubt in his mind. However he would reserve his decision. ’

Lucas and'Smith were charged with dispersing a paper from the Workers Unemployment Movement without the name of printer thereon. “Ag in I maintain that this is not a document . that requires the printer’s name,” said Mr Schramm. “Tliere is sufficient compliance with the Act by the fact'that the address ‘Room. El. Trades Hall’ is at the top of* the pamphlet.” In evidence Smith admitted that he Had a- typewriter and duplicator at his home.

Detective-Sergeant Kelly: That is the headquarters of Communism in Auckland. Smith: Yes. / You are a group leader 'for the Communists in Auckland citv«o—Yes. What wages do you get?

- ! Smith (with a disgusted gesture): Don’t be ridiculous. Decision in all three cases was reserved.