SIX MONTHS’ GAOL

Hokitika Guardian, 27 April 1932, Page 5

SIX MONTHS’ GAOL

SEDITIOUS BOOKS TWO AUCKLANDERS SENTENCED. 'By Telegraph—rer Pres* Association] AUCKLAND, April 26. Pleas of not guilty were entered by Gordon Harvey Dale, aged 25, a seaman, and Edward Stanley Hamilton, aged 21, a bootmaker, when charged in tlie Police Court with causing to be brought into New Zealand six copies of a hook entitled ’‘The 1t.1.L.U. Magazine,” which advised lawlessness. There was a further charge of smuggling into New Zealand three copies of tlie book “Revolutionary Programme,” fifty copies of the book “The Tasks of Red Trade. Unions aiid the Minority Movement,” and other hooks. This charge was not proceeded with. .

The former charge was brought hy the police under the War Regulations Continuance Act, 1920. which prohibits the importation of literature likely to result in strife and lawlessness, ahd the smuggling charge was laid by the Customs Department. A Cufitoilis official, Leonard Joseph William soil, said he first saiV ncotisefi on the deck of the steamei' “Afuratna” just After the arrival of the vessel from Sydney on April 12. As far witness could sue, the accused had no parcels in their possession, but a short time later they left the ship carrying fiie bundles. Witness examined these parcels, and found them to contain Communistic publications. Dale explained to the witness that he had received the papers from Wellington four days previously, and that he intended to sell some of them to seamen on the “Manama.” IJe and his companion had not travelled by the “Marama.” but had boarded tlie vessel at the wharf. Witness subsequently handed the papers, which appeared to be in their original wrappings to the police A number of witnesses gave evidence.

“I am satisfied that these men went on board the. ship after her arrival from Sydney, and got these hooks to take ashore,” remarked the Magistrate. “I look upon it as a very serious matter indeed. The distribution of this sort of literature leads to disturbances such as we have recently had in our city streets.”

Each accused was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment. An order for the confiscation of the books was made by the Magistrate.

Tn view of the fact that the accused had been convicted on the police prosecution, counsel for the Customs Department said he did not wish to p-ess the smuggling charge, which Was withdrawn.