EVADING PAYMENT OF DUTY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 261, 25 March 1911, Page 5

EVADING PAYMENT OF DUTY

MOTOR FIRM PLEADS GUILTY. A HUGE FINE. By Cable—Press Association— Copyright. Received 24, 11.30 p.m. Sydney, March 24. In the High Court, the Minister for Customs proceeded against Ernest Samuel Turner, carrying on business as the General Motor Company, for penalties for defrauding the Customs in connection with the importation of motor cars by means of false forms and entries. Defendant admitted the allegations, and plaintiff and defendant agreed upon a statement of facts, which was submitted to the Qpurt. The first case covered five shipments of cars, whereon duty was underpaid to the extent of £4lO. The second case was against the General Motor Company and Turner. This referred to sixteen shipments, whereon duty was evaded to the extent of £8774. The Court convicted in both cases. Counsel for the Customs Department said the cases disclosed altogether eightyseven offences, involving a total mnximum penalty of £125,000. He suggested that the Court inflict a penalty of which was three times Itho amount of the duty evaded. Counsel for defendant said the frauds began in 1907. It was a case of where a man was too weak to resist a great temptation.