THE SMUGGLE THAT FAILED

NZ Truth, Issue 240, 12 February 1910, Page 4

THE SMUGGLE THAT FAILED

In pursuance of this paper's welt-known policy of giving the two sides of every every question, "Truth" this issue proposes to supplement its remarks on the breach of the Customs which Mr A. M. Lewis, chairman elect of the Congregational Union, and lemonade manufacturer of Weiliu^tbflj . attempted to commit. While "Truth," alter searching examination of, the .case, could see no other side than that presented m these columns last week, this paper offered to Mr Lewis m all reasonable fairness the opportunity of haying published side by side any explanation he saw fit to make. Mr Lewis, while ragrctting that the matter had to be published, elected to remain silent. He admitted nothing, and denied nothing, although he was told what was to appear. This paper is led to believe that the publicity given this act of attempted smuggling on the part of a prominent pillar of a prominent church created quite a sensation m Wellington, but "Truth" did not publish the matter to create a seasation. "Truth" was simply discharging its duty ass a newspaper m which the public place implicit reliance. In an earnest endeavor to give everything for and against Mr Lewis, that gentleman's explanation was sought. His reasons for declining to give that explanation was also published. The matter thus stands. Mr Lewis attempted to smuggle through the Customs at Wellington, among other things, a Communion service, presumably for use m the Congregational Church. He was detected. Instead of being prosecuted m the police court, where the smuggled goods ,would have been confiscated had a conviction resulted, the offender m this instance is dealt with by, the Minister, and m such circumstances that Lewis' responsibility m the matter could not be negatived.

In these circumstances, no other option was left "Truth" that to obtain, if possible, from the Hon. Geo. Fowlds, Minister of Customs, any explanation why police court proceedings were not instituted. A representative of this paper accordingly waited on Mr Fowlds last Tuesday (he last week being absent from Wellington m Christchurch). and drew .his attention to "Truth's" article. The Minister admitted having read the article, but when directly asked to state why there was no prosecution, he was as reticent as Mr Lewis. He would offer no comment on the article. He stated, however, that almost daily there were breaches o[ the Customs Act. attended by different circumstances. His depart-

ment had very frequent dealings with business departments m New Zealand, and as departmental matters m this respect were secret, he could not make public the nature of those dealings. He could not go into the matter mentioned by "Truth." The only matters which he could make any communication upon were those which had come before the police court.

"Truth" has no desire to prolong the matter. It has given publicity to certain facts which disclose circumstances of a most peculiar character. In fairness to the individual implicated, it has offered! to give ''She other side a hearing, with the result above stated.