1927-03-29 — Page 7

DISARMAMENT.

DRAFT CONVENTION REJECTED.

Gonova, March 28. The Preparatory Disarmament Committee has discussed

imitation of land forces.

the

Viscount Sato declared that he was unable to agree with the British draft convention because it would be most difteult to change the present military system of Japan.

M. De Brouckere (Belgium) advocated shortening the term of military service and a reduction of military expenditure.

M. Paul Boneour. (France) atressed the limitation of expendi-

ture.

Mr. Gibson said the United States had already reduced her Iand forcus and he favoured regional agreements.

Lord Ceell regretted he was unable to persuade M. Paul Boncour, M. De Brouckere and Viscount Sato to agree with the British view, but he would not persist, in view of the necessity for unanimity--Reuter.

Lord Cecil Explains/

OPIUM LABELS.

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH, TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 1927.

'IMPORTANT POINT RAISED

IN COURT.

MAGISTRATE'S DOUBTS.

The question as to whether the Court could presume an offence of attaching Government oplum labols to lielt opium pots by reason of possession of the labels resulted in an argument on the point in: volved betwoon Mr. R.-E. Lindeell and Mr. D. McCallum at the Central Magistracy this morning.

A Chinese was charged with un- lawful possession of 2.5 mace of Illicit opium, and he wna also charged under Section 17 of Or- dinance 30 of 1923 with being in Possession of three Government opium labels without lawful nu thority or excuse. Mr. McCallum was for the defence and admitted the first charge.

Section 17 deals with the r. moval of labels from Government opiem pots, with the fittention af preventing them being attached to illicit opium pots, and the question argued was whether, by cause the defendant was found in possession of the labels, and admitted it, the presumption could be drawn that they were to be affixed to pots containing Illicit opium.

Mr. McCallum contended that

such a presumption could not be raised until an offence had been committed and then it would have to be proved. He added that he had a reasonable explanation to offer,

Revenue Officer's Evidence.

NO LICENCE.

WINE SHOP PROPRIETOR FINED.

The owner of a wine shop in Laichikok appeared with his wife before Mr. W. Schofield, at the on charges of solling dutiable Kowloon Magistracy this morning.

or without a licence and with storing dutiable liquor in un- licensed premises. A coolie, who was arrested during the ravenue ofeers' visit to the shop, was charged with purchasing spirits from an unlicensed vendor,

The first defendant admitted both charges, the wife denying all responsibility.

The prosecution accepted the pleas and the woman way dis- charged. Revenue Officer Powell stated that he was not pressing the charge against the coolie, as he was merely detained because he purchased some wine while the officers were in the shop.

Revenue Officer Powell said he was instructed to state that the Department regarded the ease in a serious light, as illicit trading in trade and the Government was wines was becoming a recognised being defrauded, of considerable sums of revenue.

Asked to what extent the Government were defrauded in this case, Revenue Officer Powell said the wine was quoted at $2.50

er jar, whereas the duty alone!

was $4.40,

1:

The defendant was fined $100 on each charge.

FAILED TO STOP.

WHY MOTORIST DROVE ON.

London, Mar. 28. Following speeches made by the French and Belgian delegates at to-day's meeting in Geneva of the Preparatory Commission for the Disarmament Conference, Lord Ceell said he recognised that his arguments had failed. The French and Belgian delegates had maintained the position that iti was impossible to limit the num- ber of annual contingents and that the nations represented needed to train their whole manhood. Lord Cecil, in reply, said he advocated the limitation of numbers and the limitation of the period of service. Some delegates had adopted the view that it was impossible to was found a handkerchief in which the defendant, Inspector Alexan In outlining the case against limit the annual contingent and were wrapped up three Govern der said that the accident took that it was unthinkable that a sys--ment opium labels, and in another place near the Wing Lok Wharf at tem of ballot should be introduc drawer was found four pots con-7.45, p.m. on the 21st instant, De- ed. But he understood that in a taining the usual amount of Go-fendant was on the proper side of system of conscription there wasvernment opium with no labels at

Senior Revenue Officer G. Watt said that on March 26th, at four o'clock in the afternoon, he en- tered a house at 320, Des Voeux Road, West, where he found the defendant sitting on a bed in a front cubicle. There were some scales in a case. In a cupboard

a standard by which certain num-tached. .bors were rejected and, if it was

י

desired to reduce the contingent, know what that evidence had to Mr. McCallum said he did not

all that was necessary was to raise "the qualifications. He un- derstood that before the war, the German Government only recruit. ed 60 per cent. of their annual contingent. According to the Bel-ed Government opium. gidh representative, States requir- ed the whole of their population for the defence of their country, If that were so, that was the end of the argoment and there was no point in discussing methods of limitation. Lord Cecil concluded by saying that he had done his best and he recognised he had failed. He had not succeeded in shaking the convictions of any of those who supported the opposite thesis. The Committee could set- tle nothing except by unanimity. He could not impose his ideas on the rest and it was evidently use- less for him to persist in attempt- ing to establish his point of view, though he still maintained that it was right-British Wireless.

do with the charge.

His Worship (to witness) Had these pots may labels?

Witness-No, but they contain

His Worship remarked that that seemed to be quite harmless, but he would hear the rest, as it might have a bearing on the case later

Continuing, witness said he found another pot of illicit pre- pared opium in a washstand cup- board. The defendant claimed the pots and labels. He did not give an explanation as to the labels and was not asked for one.

LABOUR DEMANDS.

BY NANYANG TOBACCO WORKERS.

A list of seventeen demands, has been presented to the Directorate of the Nanyang Brothers Tobacco Company by their Hongkong epora- tives who were thrown out of em- ployment by the recent closing down of all their mills in Hong- kong.

His Worship: In the Colony do I understand that there is a considerable sale of illicit opium in pots to which Government labels have been attached?

Mr. McCallum object to the question because it is purely a matter of opinion so far as the Inspector's knowledge goes, Pre- sumably he is in a position to know, but I object to the question.

Not Fair.

Mr. Lindsell-Why do you ob- ject to the question?

Mr. McCallum:-Because I don't think It is a fair sort of question to ask.

Mr. Lindsell-Why not?

Mr. McCallum:-Because here. you have a man charged with being in possession of something of which he is entitled to be in posses- sion of, and that question is going to raise a lot of presumption with-

The driver of motor car No. 372

was charged before Major C. Will- stop after an accident, son this morning with failing to

the road and there was no indica- tion of speeding. Instead of stop. whom he knocked down. defendan ping to pick up the small boy

went straight on and drove to the Police Station,

His Worship told defendant that he should have stopped to pick up the boy as a minute or two might have cost the lad his life. He nak. ed the defendant how he would feel if the position were reversed and he was struck by a motor enr the driver of which did not stop

to help.

Defendant said he was afraid of the crowd assaulting him.

Inspector. Alexander" explained" that there was A policeman on point duty there at the time and defendant had nothing to fear.

The question of compensation to A fine of $15 was imposed. the injured boy was left over, de- fendant agreeing to pay whenever called upon to do so.

pitul with a fractured leg and is! The boy is at present in hos- not expected to come out for an! other six weeks.

with the labels, then that was another matter. It could be pré- sumed that he was going to de- fraud the Government or a hundred and one things, but until he did so, where was the crime?

Mr. Lindsell:-There is no pre- sumption of guilt from their pos- session under that section"

Mr. McCallum:-If I say they are mine, that answers the ques tion, I have taken them from out your being in the slightest posi- Government pots, which I have tion to prove that presumably he bought and paid for, and until f had obtained that something for an commit a crime in relation to them unlawful purpose.

they are mine.

The two chief directors have conte down to Hongkong from Shanghai to consider the local situation, and have held a number After referring to the section,

no point in Section 17 according

of meetings, but there has been no Mr. Lindsell, sponking to witness, Mr. Lindsell:-There would be official contact established with said there was apparently no pre-to your argument. the labourers representatives" assumption under that section.

yet.

papers, the list of demande pre- sented by the operatives includes reinstatement and a voice in the employment and dismissal of work

Witness replied in the negativo. M. McCallum:-There would,

A's published in the Chinese His Worship:Unless there, is your Worship. I might have a presumption that the more pos- stolen them and then the 'ppeses- session throws the onus on the de-sion would be unlawful. fence, the prosecution has got to prove that he cannot give a reason- able explanation,

Witness:--He did not give an explanation.

It is learned that the annual meeting of the Nanyang Company takes place at Shanghai on the 21st April.

His Worship:You say yourself he was not asked..

Government's Duty.

Mr. LindsellThe obvious pur- pose of Section, 17 is to, prevent Government opium labels being used on pots of illicit opium.

Mr. McCallum:-Then you have to prove that I have so used them. Proof Needed.

When seen by a Telegraph re- Referring to the labels, Mr. Me- porter this morning with regard to Callum said presumably they were Mr. Lindst remarked that as the abova report, Mr. G. K. Hall cancelled. Presumably the Govern- he saw the matter, there must be Brutton, who is legal reprosenta- ment know the duty had been paid. some proof in the absence of law- tive here of the Nanyang Brothers His Worship: There is no ques-ful authority or excuse. He Tobacco Company, said he was tion of duty being paid. The thought the defendant should have empowered to state that only 17 Government puts these labels on been given a chance to explain the demands have been made by the their own pota of opium.

position. He would like further workmen, ind that these will be

time to consider the paint ns It considered by the Directorn at a

was of considerable importance to meeting to be held within the Mr. McCallum replied that it the Imports and Exports Office. course of the next few days. was for the Government to issue Mr. McCallum:And I tako it Mr. Hall Brutton reiterated that the labels in such a way--and pre-of equal Importance to the public. the workmen were on the most sumably they were so issued that The Logislature makes laws which friendly terms with the Company once they were sold to a private the most innocent can infringe when they left employment, with person they became the proper- quite innocently, and accordingly an extra month's wages paid to ty of that person. If he showed they they must be construed vory them as a gratuity.

were in his possession as a private strictly, especially if they are New machinery is being instal person, because he had bought and drawn in a loose way. led at the local plant, which will paid for them, why he asked, His Worship Intimated he would resume operations as Boon A should he not do na he liked with | givo a decision on the point at practicable.

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