WINE IN CAFE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 140, 15 June 1935, Page 11

WINE IN CAFE.

GREEK FINED £20. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Friday. "The penalty is out of all proportion to the "offence in this case. This is one of the dangers of the fixing by the Legislature of a minimum .penalty," said Mr. J. H. Luxford, S.M., in imposing the £20 minimum fine on George Kathistideo for permitting liquor to be drunk in his cafe at a time when licensed premises were required to be closed. Entering a plea of guilty for defendant, counsel pointed out that defendant was a Greek, who, according to the custom in his country, always drank wine with breakfast. About 8 a.m. on the Sunday in question lie and a friend named Green were breakfasting together in the restaurant, which was closed to the public, and defendant had, committed the offence by giving Green a drink of his wine. Defendant had not offended against the spirit of the Act. Mr. Luxford eaid defendant had a previous conviction for the same offence, and he was bound by law to be fined the minimum of £20. He would be allowed a month to pay the fine, so that in tho meantime counsel could apply to the Minister of Justice for a remission of part of tho penalty. Green pleaded guilty, and was ordered to pay costs, 10/, for having consumed liquor on the premises after hours.