UNREGISTERED PRESS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1451, 25 September 1915, Page 3

UNREGISTERED PRESS.

BREACHES OF THE PRINTERS ACT.

At the Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning before Mr J. W. Poynton S.M., William Hamer was charged on the information of the police with three breaches of the “Printers and Newspapers Registration Act.” The charges were (1) that at Foxton on September 15th he did keep a printing press and type for printing without having been delivered the notice and received the certificate of registration as required by the Act ; (2 and 3) that at Foxton on the same date did print a paper and did omit to print thereon his name and place of abode as required by the Act. Defendant was represented by Mr Oram and pleaded guilty on the first charge and not guilty on the second and third informations.

Sub-Inspector Marsack said that on September 15th DetectiveSergeant Quirke under a search warrant visited defendant’s premises and found the printing press which had not been registered. There were a number of printed papers picture programmes—on which there were no imprints. On one of the programmes were two advertisements and defendant admitted that in regard to one of the advertisements defendant had made arrangements to receive payment lor same.

Detective - Sergeant Quirke stated in evidence that on the date in question he came to Foxton with a search warrant to search defendant’s premises. In company with Constable Woods he visited Hamer’s premises and Constable Woods told defendant that witness wanted to see his printing press. Defendant pointed out the press to him. There were a number of printed papers lying about and defendant gave him two and told him that he had printed same. Witness drew defendant’s attention to the fact that there was no imprint on them and defendant said he did not think it was necessary to put an imprint on advertisements. He admitted distributing the papers around Foxton. To Mr Oram : Defendant made no effort to conceal the press or printed papers. He showed them to witness before he produced the search warrant. He was perfectly open in the matter and said he did not know it was necessary to register the press or put an imprint on the programmes. Constable Woods corroborated the previous witness’ evidence. In answer to Mr Oram witness said that he had seen the press on several occasions. He was passing the premises scon after defendant got it and he called witness in to show it to him. This concluded the evidence. Mr Oram said that the case was a most unfortunate one for his client. Defendant owned a picture place and finding that his advertising bill was rather expensive he decided to instal a press of his own. He made no effort to conceal it, in fact had shown it to Constable Woods and had been just as anxious to show it to Detective Quirke. As far as the non-regis-tration was concerned defendant was technically guilty of an offence, but counsel contended there was no necessity for an imprint on the programmes. The Act made certain exemptions which he claimed covered the present case and quoted a decision by the Supreme Court in a case of the kind. He contended that the informations two and three should be dismissed, As far as the nonregistration was concerned he thought the defendant should be convicted only. The Magistrate : I can’t do that.

Mr Oram said that if possible the Magistrate should dismiss the case, as defendant had immediately registered his press when he found out registration was necessary. Sub-Inspector Marsack contended that the decision quoted by Mr Oram did not cover the present case. The exemptions, as far as imprints were concerned, were very clear, and papers similar to those which were the basis of the charge were certainly not exempted. He quoted decisions in support of his contention. The Magistrate said that on the first charge defendant would be convicted and fined This was the minimum penalty, and was fixed by the Act, and not by him. If it were possible he would make it a nominal penalty, but he couldn’t. On the other two charges he would reserve his decision. The point was an important one, and he would look into it. Time in which to pay the fine was applied for, and the Magistrate increased the time to two mouths.