TWO PINES

Evening Post, Volume CI, Issue 51, 1 March 1921, Page 7

TWO PINES

MOKE DANGEROUS LITERATURE

"LIKE POISONED POLLARD FOB

BABBITS."

Two cases arising out of the sale of dangerous literature, "The Communist Programme of the World Revolution," which had been set down for consideration by the Magistrate op Friday, were called ~oii at short notice late yesterday afternoon, the defendants, Frederick Johnson, literature secretary of the Socialist Party, and Sormap Leslie Stevens, bookseller and newsagent, both oleading guilty. , ■ : • , For the prosecution, Mr. P, 6. K. Macassey, stated that the book, copies of wliicu had figured in the cafe agaaasi jNa&h, had been sold to Constable Ambrose at the Socialist Hall ou Sunday, 16th'January, and many other copies of the book were sold to others that evening. The books, Mr. JMacassey added, had been h'stocK in ftew Zealand before JNash had returned to 2\ew Zealand. , •■■ -

Constable 'Ambrose detailed the purchase of the book, ; and .under crossexamination by Mr. H. F. ICLeary, vfor the' defence, said that he went to the Socialist Hall to purchase that special book, and intioauced himself to Jorinson in such a way that the defendant would believe he was interested in socialism. Johnson did not canvass him to buy the book.

Counsel contended that much of the matter in the book was not in the least harmful, and with that the Magistrate (Mr. F. K. Hunt) agreed, but he pointed out that many passages were decidedly dangerous. • Mr. O'Leary said that the defendant was the literature secretary of the Socialist Party, and was a watersider by occupation. He did .pot fgo out into the Highways and byways to sell the book, but sold it only to those who visited the hall. That he had' had no intention of breaking the law wa< shown'by the fact that he had called upon the Collector of Customs on 23rd December to ascertain what books were banned. He was told that "Red Europe" and "Knowledge and Unity" were on the banned list, but as the "Communist Programme" was not mentioned he was under the belief that it might be sold.

Johnson readily gave an assurance that he would handle no more such books and pamphlets, with, many ,sentiments of which he did not agree, though he was a student of Marxian principles and agreed with other sections.

"That is all right," remarked the Magistrate, in ordering Johnson to pay a, fine of £10 and costs, "but it is like laying poisoned pollard for rabbits; some of the pollard is all right, but the poison is there all the same." ' .*'

Stevens explained that he bad recently purchased the Post Office book-shop from a former owner, and had taken over copies of the "Communist Programme" in the stock, and had sold it when asked tfor it. He, too, gave an undertaking to sell no more copies of the") book.

A fine of £5 and costs wae imposed,