EVADING THE POLL TAX.

Otago Witness, Issue 3399, 7 May 1919, Page 6

EVADING THE POLL TAX.

AUCKLAND, May 1

A_ Chinese fruit merchant named Sai Louio -was arrested on a charge of having assisted two prohibited Chinese immigipnts to land in New Zealand. When he came before Mr J. E. Wilson, S.M., to-day Chief Detective M'Mahon asked for a remand.

Mr Solwyn Mays, who appeared for the Customs Department, stated that while bail in a substantial sum was not objected to, ho felfc justified, from an incident which occurred last night, in asking the magistrate to warn accused against any attempt to communicate with the two Chinese now in prison awaiting trial for having landed in New Zealand unlawfully or to talk over the case with any other Chinese who might test called as witnesses for the prosecution.

Counsel said he knew enough about "Chinese wireless" and intrigue to bebeve that even prison walls could not stop communication.

Counsel for the defence undertook to warn his client against making any communication that would savour of subornation, and bail was granted in one &i:rety of £2OO.

May 2. Two Chinese coolies were fined £lO each for evading the poll tax and the examination test. They stated that they paid Chinamen in Suva £9O each to arrange for their entry into New Zealand.

[ln connection with this case a wellknown Chinese fruit merchant at Auckland has been arrested, and is now on remand on a charge of acting hi collusion with the abovo defendants.}