BOLSHEVIK LITERATURE.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 March 1921, Page 5

BOLSHEVIK LITERATURE.

“DANGEROUS AS POISON.” CASE AGAINST WALTER NASH, REMARKS BY MAGISTRATE. On a charge of bringing into the country documents which “encourage violence and lawlessness and incite, advise, or advocate violence,’’ Walter Nash, described as a man with “strong Socialistic principles,” came before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., in the Wellington Magistrate’s Court on Monday and entered a plea of guilty. Mr. P. S. K. Macassey appeared for the prosecution, and Mr. F. E. Ward for the defendant. The documents referred to were “The Communist Programme of the World Revolution,” and “To the J.W.W. —a Special Message from the Communist International.” BACK FROM AMERICA. In outlining the case, Mr. Macassey stated that the informations had been laid under the War Regulations, clauses of which were read - to the court. It was stated that on January 4 accused had been interviewed by Detective-Sergeant Lewis. The accused had just returned from a tour of America, England, and the Continent, and explained that he was a publisher’s agent, and had come to New Zealand to start agencies for publishers abroad. He gave names of the several firms which he represented. The detective intimated that he desired to see any literature that Ire might have in his possession. Nash produced a number of pamphlets, and explained that he had procured them in Australia on his way back to New Zealand, from which place he had been absent for some time. Detective Lewis took possession of several books (produced), and also a number of pamphlets and a copy of “Communist Movements.” “BOLSHEVIK LITERATURE.” Detective-Sergeant Lewis stated he considered that the literature was what one could call “Bolshevik literature.” Witness took possession of about twelve books in all, and in most cases accused had two copies of each publication. In referring to page 13 of the pamphlet “To the 1.W.W.,” Mr. Macassey held that certainly the reading would encourage violence and lawlessness if distributed. In the box the accused stated that he had come to New Zealand via Australia to act as agent for a number of firms overseas, publishers of various books, including the “National Labor Press.” The latterj-he said, was a “Socialistic paper violently opposed to the Bolshevik theory, but not critics of it.” His objective, he said, “was to bring home to the Labor Party the principles underlying Christianity and to interest Christian people in New Zealand.” He said he had visited Mr. Andreade, of Melbourne, and asked if he had any Socialist material to take away, and procured samples. He was given a parcel to take on the boat, but he never opened it. Mr. Macassey: Have you placed any orders since?—No. Mr. Macassey: Do you approve of the “Communist Programme of the World Revolution? —Well, that is a difficult question. It is not the sort of thing that I would publish. To His Worship he said that ke would not sell or distribute the publications. FOR THE DEFENCE. For the defence Mr. Ward pointed out that the clauses contained in the War Regulations which referred to bringing into New Zealand or “causing to be sold” did not directly affect the accused. True, he had admitted that he had them in his possession, but “not for sale or distribution.” He stated that the accused had “definite principlles of constitutional reform.” As the offence was a technical one he asked that the case be dismissed.

His Worship said: “If I were satisfied that the accused had actually distributed the material I would fine him £lOO and send him to gaol for the maximum pericd.” After fully considering the cironmsiances a fine of £5 was imposed on the first charge, and defendant was convicted and ordered to pay costs on the other. Costs in each case amounted to 7$