EVASION OF POLL TAX.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17151, 3 May 1919, Page 10

EVASION OF POLL TAX.

TWO CHINESE FINED £10,

AIDED BY ACCOMPLICES.

"VICTIMS OF SMALLER MEN."

APPEAL OX LANGUAGE TEST.

! Charged with having entered New Zealand without paying the poll tax or passing the education test, the two Chinese, Lee Sam and Lee Tau, who have boon in: custody for some days, appeared before Mr. J. E. Wilson, S.M., at the Polico Court yesterday. Mr. Dickson, who appeared for the prisoners, entered pleas of guilty on their behalf Mr Selwyn May*, who appeared for tho Crown, said that the two prisoners, who left China six vears ago, paid an agent at Fiji £90 cach'to arrange tor their secret entry into Jicw Zealand. This money was divided equally between the agents at Fiji and iu New 'Zealand and an accomplice on tho vessel. They paid their passages to Latoka, and there were stowed away in the sail locker of the Atua. Tho accomplice on the ship attended to thoir wants, and ensured their escape from the vessel on arrival at Chelsea. The men were then taken to the back tntranco of Ah Chee's fruit shop and thence conveyed by van to a garden nt Mwigere. On tho information of a Customs official they were traced by I Detective-Sergeant Issell and Detective Gourley, and (subsequently arrested. Mr. Mays added that tho only offence- was the evasion of paying tho poll tax, which could be paid only after the education test had been pasned. M they were unsuccessful i" this they would have to bo deiKirtcd. "It is an insidious business," said Mr. Mays, " and wo are by no means certain that this is the first case." lie stated, however, that neither of tho accused had made any effort to cover his offence, and had behaved generally in an exemplary manner. Mr. Dickson said that the two prisoners were the victims and not tho culprits in tho conspiracy. They bad been in New Zealand seven weeks, and had received no wages during that time. The Magistrate: These men have been in the hands of much cleverer men than themselves.

Mr. Mays suggested that before the Court imposed any penalty tho prisoners should be put to tlio education test. Mr. Dickson suggested that if time were allowed the prisoners could bo schooled up to tho standard required. The Magistrate: That is what always happens. When a Chinaman fails to pass Mid test he appeals to a niagstrate, and in the meantime learns enough to pass. A short adjournment was allowed in which to apply the education test, but the prisoners were unable to qualify. With short words they had no difficulty, but their attempts at longer words wore quito unsuccessful. Mr. Dickson, however, stated that he would lodge an Appeal. In fining each man £10 and 58s 6d costs, the magistrate said that, although the prisoners wero to a certain extent victims of smarter men, they must have been aware of their offence.

On each finding a bond for £250, the men were released from custody.