“RAISING THE WIND.”

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16417, 4 May 1921, Page 7

“RAISING THE WIND.”

SALE OF A SERVICE MEDAL. AN UNPROFITABLE TRANSACTION. “ Raising the wind ” by selling a* military decoration is an unprofitable procedure. It cost the seller and the buyer £2 each in a case which came before Mr V. G. Day, S.M., to-day. Ernest Chalmers M' Donald and Thomas Wesley M’Donald were charged under the Military Decorations and Badges Act. 1918, with purchasing amilitary service medal. Frederick William Bennett was charged with having sold the decoration. A plea of guilty was entered by Mr T. W. Rowe on behalf of Ernest Chalmers M’Donald and not guilty in the case of Thomas Wesley M’Donald. Mr Rowe said that the first-mentioned was the father of the other. The son held the license for a second-hand business, but the father was in charge of tho shop and carried through the transaction complained of. A person, probably a returned soldier, came into the shop, said Mr Rowe, and offered to sell the decoration. The father, E. C. M’Donald, did not know that the law forbade such a transaction, blit did not wish to buy the decoration. However, Ben*nett said he was hard up. and M’Donald said “Very well, if you. are hard up I will keep it for a day or two. and you can come and buy it back if you. like.” After som6 time M’Donald put it in his window, thinking that the public might like to buy it. He showed his bona fides by exhibiting it openly in his window. Someone who was passing noticed the modal, and complained. The question was raised as to whether the son was equally responsible with his father for the transaction. Air V. G. Day. S.M., said that Parliament evidently looked upon traffic in military decorations as a serious matter. However, in the present case there seemed to be no intent to flout the law. He would give M’Donald the younger the benefit of the doubt. F. (;. M’Donald and Bennett, would each be fined £2, with costs.