CUSTOMS PROSECUTIONS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 11883, 20 January 1914, Page 5

CUSTOMS PROSECUTIONS.

CASES DISMISSED,

Press Association—F.WfnV TVleuraori—Copvrieht (Received Tuesday, at 9.55 a.m.) LONDON, Monday. The motor customs prosecutions were dismissed without the defendants being called. Mr Bodkin, K.C., submitted that Walter Kemsle3 r had no knowledge of tho transactions in Australia. The other defendants may have known, but not fraudulently. No evidence had been called to show that their firm profited by the transactions. Neal's evidence showed that the values charged to Australian houses were the same as the firm paid to British manufacturers. The allegation that the prices of chassis were inflated had not been supported. Between May, 1912, and ,7unc j 1913, the Government tried to get the firm to give evidence against Australian clients. Tho Magistrate considered that thougti the case was a proper subject for inquiry, no jury would convict on the documents submitted, in the absence of witnesses who were alone able to give evidence concerning the transactions to which the documents referred. Except in connection with the Clement Talbot transaction no such evidence was called. He complimented Ncal and Shorland on their fullness, frankness and fairness in giving evidence, and also Ncal on his preparation of documentary evidence.