“DON’T WANT IT HERE”

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 153, 16 March 1923, Page 4

“DON’T WANT IT HERE”

COMMUNIST LITERATURE YOUNG F) REMAN PUNISHED Although the new-comer was an active member of an English Communist party, and carried copious credentials in the form of literature winch more than briefly referred to civil war, direct action, and the possible simulation of Russia’s example, no civic .reception awaited the arrival at Auckland of a young fireman on the liner Pakeha; m fact, the only interested piirty happened to be a detective, whoe was impolite enough to carry out an examination of the man’s effects. The. incident had its sequel in the Magistrate s Court yesterday, and it was A sallowcomploxioned voting man, named. AVIIII-. am John Budd, who came before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M.. to ■ answer charges of bringing into New .Zealand documents expressing seditious intentions, and of possessing such documents for the purposes of distribution. “I brought them into the 'country, but I did not have, them in my possession for distribution,” pleaded the accused. Senior-Detective Lewis, who prosecuted, stated that the accused had had in his possession 32 copies of . the “Communist AA'eekly,” nine copies of the “AVorker,” eight of the ‘ “Communist Daily,” qnd one of the “Communist Review.” Tn a statement the man had explained that he was a member of a Communist party, and prior to leaving England he had selected certain papers from his private stock to bring to the Dominion, [as he had been liable to obtain them from his party. “He must hay had a fair stock of his own,” adddd Air. Lewis: “He .maintained that he did-not intend to distribute them particularly, but we have reason to believe that ho was bringing them fore some particular person, and he was not met accidentally by Chief-Detective AVard on his arrival at Auckland. The papers referred to civil war, direct action, Russia’s example, etc.” The accused declared that he had distributed fßem among the crew during the voyage and had received them back again. .He had seen similar literature on salp in Australia, and did not know of the existence of a statute in New Zealand .prohibiting its entry here.

Senior-Detective Lewis mentioned that Budd’s vessel was to leave AA’ellington to-day for Picton, proceeding afterwards to Lyttelton and England. Hhis AVorship: AVedon’t want him or his litsrature in New Zealand. (To the accused): Do you know that I can give you twelve months? The accused: I’m aware of that now.

His AA’e’-ship: If you bring any more into New Zealand you will stay here for twelve months.

’ Tlie accused: Thirt’s my funeral. His AVbrship: AViD you promise not' to bring any more out? Budd expressed his willingness to give that undertaking, but when he was advised- that a fine of £3 was to be included he intimated that ho preferred not to pay it. His AVorship: I don’t care what you prefer. You are fined £3. Put him on board his boat.” ;