GROWING "TRADE."

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 147, 23 June 1934, Page 17

GROWING "TRADE."

TOBACCO DEALING.

EVADING THE CUSTOMS. COMMENT BY MAGISTRATE. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) CHRISTCHURCH, Friday. The rapid growth of dealing in uncustomed tobacco is causing the Department much concern, according to statements made in the Magistrate's Court to-day, when, under the Tobacco Act, George Hilton Speak, aged 28, and Arthur Augustus Newth, aged 25, both labourers, were each fined £25 on a charge that on June 12, not being licensed to manufacture tobacco, they had in their possession to«bacco, a press and cutter for the manufacture of tobacco.

Counsel for the Crown said that defendants were frank, and were evidently in a comparatively small way. They had COlb of manufactured tobacco in their possession, and were arrested while actually endeavouring to make a sale. They came from Nelson, and endeavours were being made to see how they obtained the leaf.

"The Department is aware that the business of selling uncustomed tobacco has assumed tremendous proportions, and the police have great difficulty in tracing offenders," said counsel. "This was the lirst case of its kind in New Zealand. These offences are serious, and stringent provisions are made iu the Act."

The Magistrate, Mr. E. D. Mosley They are ridiculous in manv case 6.

Counsel admitted the penalties were heavy, but said that smuggling in all its branches was considered one of the most heinous offences iu the calendar.

Two provisions of the Act were criticiscd by Mr. Mosley, who characterised the clause giving power to the GovernorGeneral for remission of part or the whole of any penalty as absurd. He referred to difficulties created for the Court by the fixing of a minimum penalty of £25 in the case before them. "To ask his Excellency for remission of a penalty is absurd," said the magistrate. "The Court hears the facts, and should be iu a better position to adjudicate than anyone else. Wo always meet trouble and worry when minimum penalties are fixed."