GUILTY OF SUBVERSION

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21178, 30 July 1940, Page 9

GUILTY OF SUBVERSION

COMMUNIST MEETING SPEAKER ADMITTED TO PROBATION (By Telegraph.—Special to Times) AUCKLAND, Monday Found guilty by a jury in the Supreme Court of making subversive statements, Douglas James Morey, aged 26, was admitted by Mr Justice Fair to three years’ probation, after the jury had recommended mercy. Morey, who had elected trial by jury, was ordered to pay £25 within three months toward the costs of the prosecution. The statements complained of were alleged to have been made at a meeting of about 20 people held in Ponsonby, on May 8. The meeting was one of those held in support of the Communist candidate during the Auckland West by-election. The jury’s recommendation to mercy was on the ground that the expressions were uttered to a very small audience and during a political campaign. BAN ON LITERATURE IMPORTS TO BE REFUSED Importers of periodicals, books and other literature have been notified by the Collector of Customs, Mr F. N. Abercrombie, that the importation of subversive literature is not to be permitted. Delivery will not be given of any such literature which may be imported under import licenses. Licenses already granted are subject to this restriction. The definition of "subversive” applies not only to anything likely to interfere with the success of His Majesty’s Forces or those of his Allies by land, sea or air, or their training, recruitment or administration, but also to any statement intended or likely to interfere with the national effort by disruption of the morale of the civil population or His Majesty’s Forces. Furthermore, it has application to a statement intended or likely to cause undue alarm to the public or to any person or persons in relation to the public safety or to the war.