HEAVY FINE

Hokitika Guardian, 25 June 1932, Page 2

HEAVY FINE

JXDECKIN'! I.iITER ATURE CASE. MACi ISTRATE’S SCATHIXG COMMENT. (Per Press Association— Copyright.) AUCKLAND, June 24. “On n charge oi causing to be left on the premises, an indecent document entitled “The control and spacing of childbirth,” knowing it to be an indecent document, Carol Adolph Smith, who pleaded guilty to-day, was fined £SO or three months’ imprisonment. The police stated that JSO pamphlets, detailing with a. birth control method, had been given to a boy to deliver in the Papatoetoe and Manurewa districts. One resident, who found the pamphlet enclosed in an envelope, marked “confidential,” in a letter box, wn* disgusted and complained to the police. Counsel for detcndant said that he was 'the manufacturer of the preventative, and held the patent rights, lie wars a thoroughly respectable mail, maniud with thVoe children. The preventative ingredients, which he imported, were sold by chemists. He had admitted frankly that he had committed an indiscretion in distributing the pamphlets in such a way to the houses. The .Magistrate, Mr Hunt: “1 consider these two pamphlets are abominable and beastly publications to be put into letter-boxes. They are filtliy ami f have the greatest- contempt for these people. 1 eorsider them worse than people charged Indore me lor brcJiiiinii «niii Counsel for defendant: “This is not rpiaek remedy. Even the Lambeth Conference him discussed birth contnd. a conference of bishops. The Magistrate: “Oh, bother the conference of bishops. They don’t tell you the method to use, ns these circulars do.” Arthur Cleave, publisher oi the “Sporting and Dramatic Review.” was dm reed with printing an indecent document'. a.n illustrated Jadvertispment iinerted by Smith. He pleaded n ,,t guilty and decision was reserved.