“INSIDE SOVIET RUSSIA.”

Taranaki Daily News, 6 July 1921, Page 5

“INSIDE SOVIET RUSSIA.”

THE SALE OF A PAMPHLET. PROSECUTION FOLLOWS. By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. A charge of having sold a pamphlet 'iititled “Inside Soviet Russia ”, which encouraged or incited violence or lawlessness, was brought against John Douglas Robertson before Mr. Povnton S.M., to-day. Mr. Meredtith, for the prosecution, eaid- rhe pamphlet wai sold to a constable in plain clothes at defendant’s house. The book .purported to be an account of what happened in Russia, bv a French member of the Allied military commission that visited Russia. The author was a frank admirer of Bolshevism, and claimed that what Bolshevism did for Russia it would do for the rest of the world. He bitterly attacked the Allies’ policy towards Bolshevism, and proceeded to general comments which supported an international revolution. The book practically supported it violent revolution, “or violent tactics honorably undertaken as undertaken by the Bolsheviks.” Mr. Sullivan, for the defence, submitted that there should have been evidence of persons having been actually incited to violence by the pamphlet—“evidence of these weak-minded people who are said to be in the community.” Counsel submitted that the pamphlet came through the Customs Department and, after having been held up for a time, wa« passed.

Defendant gave evidence and admitted he sold the pamphlet. He had read it in parts. He said that because of the information it contained about the Soviet Government he had published the newspaper “Common Wealth” up to March last. Witness was secretary of the International Socialist Club and the newspaper he had published was laro-elv extracts on Socialism.

Mr. Meredith stated that at the time the Customs had no power to stop such literature. r Decision was reserved.