SEDITIOUS BOOKS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 206, 1 September 1933, Page 7

SEDITIOUS BOOKS.

COMMUNIST FINED. PREFERS IMPRISONMENT. DETECTIVES RAID HOUSE. A raid carried out on a house at' 3, Somerset Place, by Detectives P. J. Nalder and C. L. Packman recently led to the discovery of a number of Communist books classed as seditious literature. The raid had its sequel before Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M., in the Police Court this morning, when Lewis Williams, a canvasser, aged 29, faced two charges of having in his possession seditious literature. Mr. Hubble explained that the charges were brought under section 4 of the War Regulations Continuance Act. Literature found in possession of Williams were two booklets, "Strike, Strategy and Tactics," "The Lessons of the Industrial Struggles," and "Communism—the Programme of the Communist Internationale." Twenty-seven copies of "Communism" and 14 copies of the other booklet were found by the detectives when they raided the house. Undoubtedly the literature was seditious and was prohibited in New Zealand. Mr. Hubble quoted several inflammatory passages in which violence was advocated, in which it was stated that the ultimate object of Communism was world revolution. Counsel said the book entitled "Communism" was one of the strongest of the kind he had seen in connection with such cases. Extracts which he had read showed that the absolute aim of Communism was violence. "Have to Do My Job." Detective Nalder said that on the evening of July 15, with Detective Packman, he went to 3, Somerset Place, which was occupied by Williams. After a search witness found the seditious literature in a suitcase among other miscellaneous Communist books. Detective Nalder told Williams he had been distributing a lot of the books lately, and Williams replied, "Someone has to do it." Witness said that he referred to the other batch of books, telling Williams that he had been distributing them, and Williams replied, "I have to do my job." Mr. V. N. Hubble conducted the prosecution, and Williams was defended by Mr. L. C. Adams.

Mr. Adams submitted that Williams was not the author or the printer of the booklets. Williams admitted that he was in possession of the literature, and frankly admitted being a member of tho Communist party. Counsel maintained that the prosecution had failed to prove that Williams had the literature in his possession for distribution or for sale. Mr. McKean: His own tacit admission is proof of that. Mr. Hubble pointed out that the penalty under the War Regulations was imprisonment for twelve months or a, fine of £100. Williams had served a sentence of one month in 1931 in connection with an eviction case, but he had not been previously convicted for anything of this kind. Mr. McKean: Is he a married man? Has he any dependents?—No, sir, he is a single man. Tunny." Mr. McKean: I suppose there are some people who read this sort of stuff. Some of the passages appeal to me as funny. Mr. Hubble: I admit that some of the stuff is ridiculous, but it is read by a class of people who are not noted for their intelligence. This comment brought hisses from the back of the Court. Mr. McKean: I suppose some people who read it would be impressed by it. I can understand that literature of this kind, during a period of war, would bo serious. Do you regard this as a serious matter, Mr. Hubble? Mr. Hubble: It is distributed among a class of people who, apparently, are easily led. Williams was fined £3 and costs on the first charge, and convicted and ordered to pay costs on the second. Mr. Adams mentioned that Williams could not pay the fine, and asked that an alternative should be fixed. The magistrate fixed the alternative at 21 days' imprisonment on the first charge, and seven days in regard to the second. .According to a statement made to the Press by Mr. Adams, Williams elected to go to prison.