TRUTH'S VICTIM.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 810, 10 February 1910, Page 3

TRUTH'S VICTIM.

MANAGER CHARGED UNDER CRIMES ACT.

AND FOUND GUILTY

On Monday, at Wellington, before Mr Justice Chapman and a jury, Henry Stephen Coburn was charged, as manager for Truth newspaper, with having knowingly and wilfully distributed copies of that paper on, and bearing the date, November 13th, 1909, containing allegedly obscene printed matter of a tendency to corrupt morals. The charge was laid under the Crimes Act.

Mr M. Myers conducted the prosecution. Mr T. M. Wilford, with him Mr A. Dunn, appeared for defendant, who pleaded not guilty. Mr F. Eaton was appointed foreman of the jury.

In his address to the jury, Mr Myers said this was a case of very great importance to every man, woman and child in the community. Tradesmen were not allowed to adulterate their wares with deleterious matter, and it was of equal concern and importance that persons who prepared literature for public sale should not be allowed to poison the minds of the public. Accused was the manager for Truth newspaper. The proprietor or conductor of the newspaper was not domiciled in New Zealand. If any offence was committed by that newspaper, the manager was responsible. It was was important that this should be so. If it were not so, the absent proprietor could arrange for publication any filth, or indecency, and no one would be responsible. This, neither the laws nor com-mon-sense would tolerate. The real question the jury would have to decide was as to whether the article was obscene. If the matter were obscene, no question of sympathy should enter into consideration. “ Who,” asked counsel, “ could say what the ultimate result would be it you citizens permitted a public print containing obscene passages as alleged, to be circulated among the women, boys and girls of the community ?” They must remember the paper was sold for private gain, and personally he thought that no twelve sane men, if they could prevent it, would allow any man to make a profit at the expense of the morals of the community. “If that were allowed,” said counsel, “ God help the children of the community !” Chief Detective Broberg gave evidence. He had been in Wellington for many years. Mr McKinnon was manager tor several years. Accused had been manager for five months, and had admitted to witness his willingness to accept the responsibility of this prosecution.

Coburn was found guilty, aud to their verdict the jury added a recommendation to mercy on account of the short time accused had been manager, and his previous good c baracter. AN APPEAL TO BE STATE D. Wellington, Feb. 9. Henry Stephen Coburn, manager ot Truth, who was found guilty of distributing obscene printed matter, was brought before the Supreme Court to-day. Mr Justice Chapman stated that he did not propose to sentence accused. He had considered consel’s request to state a case for appeal, and had decided to do so. Accused was released on bail.