CUSTOMS FRAUDS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 173, 21 January 1914, Page 5

CUSTOMS FRAUDS.

■ NB£S-- j MAGISTRATE'S DECISION. ' By Cable—Press Association—Copyright | London, January 19. In Hie Customs case .Mr. Bodkin, a.C, submitted that Walter Keiiisley had i.o knowledge of transactions in Australia. The other defendants may have known, but not fraudulently. No evidence had been called to show that their firm profited by the transactions. Neale's evidence showed the values charged to Australian houses to be the same as (he linn paid to British manufacturers. The allegations that (he price of chassis was inflated had not been .supported. Between May, 1912. and June, 1013, the. Governmeut (lied to get (lie linn to give evidence against Australian clients. The Magistrate considered that, though the case was a proper subject for enquiry, uo jury would convict on the documents .submitted in the absence of wilne.-ses who alone are able to give evidence. Concerning the transactions to which the documents referred, except the Clement; Talbot transaction, no such evidence was called. He complimented Neale and Shorhind on their fullness, frankness and fairness in giving evidence, also Neale on his preparation of documentary evidence.