SMUGGLING SILK GOODS

Southland Times, Issue 20203, 14 June 1927, Page 7

SMUGGLING SILK GOODS

Tft’O WOMEN AT COURT. SUBSTANTIAL FINES IMPOSED. London, April 23. There are still many people who seek to try to avoid the Customs. When they are caught the fines are heavy. A few days ago a young American woman who lives in Paris was charged at Folkestone with attempting to smuggle 23 pairs of silk stockings and two pairs of kid gloves. A Customs officer said that when the woman arrived from Boulogne she said she had nothing dutiable and no silk articles. In her suitcases were found nine old silk stockings, and in the toes of these stockings were the 23 pairs of new stockings rolled up. She then said she was going to a London friend who was in the trade and was taking them to her. bhe also said that she was going to stay five days in the country and she wanted all the stockings to wear. A fine of £47, treble duty and value, was imposed. A woman from South Australia was, at Folkestone, fined £94 2/-, single value and duty of uncustomed goods which she brought with her from Boulogne. When asked on arrival if she had any new silk goods, she said she had not, but several silk dresses and under-garments were found in her luggage. She said she had purchased them in Paris, where she was told she would not have to pay duty on them, as she was a traveller.