Court Queries Need For Union Libel Case

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29784, 29 March 1962, Page 16

Court Queries Need For Union Libel Case

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, March 28. During the hearing of a claim by Thomas Frederick Collerton, a union secretary, of Masterton, in the Supreme Court at Wellington today for alleged libel, Mr Justice McGregor said it seemed "almost scandalous” that such a matter should come before the Court.

Collerton is claiming nominal damages of £5 against members of the Wellington Freezing Workers’ Union. The defendants are J. W Mac Lean, a night watchman, of Wellington; A. C. Dellaway, a freezing worker, of Naenae; R. M. Wickens, a freezing worker, of Masterton; and J. Sneddon, a slaughterman, of Carterton. Collerton is conducting his own case. Mr F. D. O'Flynn is appearing for Mac Lean and Dellaway and Mr W. S. Shires for Wickens and Sneddon. His Honour, after questioning the relevancy of part of Mr O’Flynn’s cross-examina-tion of Collerton, said it seemed “almost scandalous that a matter like this should come before the Court.” The whole matter was being “dragged into the open” and publicised, and would, apparently, be before the Court for some considerable time. The claim was made, in effect, to clear Collerton’s reputation. It seemed that with good will on both sides, in view of the small amount of money involved, it could have been settled. His Honour, told by Mr O’Flynn that until Monday morning, his clients were faced with a writ for £2OOO, said that for the last 48 hours

they had been faced with a writ for £5.

Mr O’Flynn: It seems to me that there was no way of ■avoiding the matter without some admission they are not prepared to make. His. Honour: The country s time is being occupied, when, with reasonable good will, the matter should be cleared up privately. Collerton: 1 did not bring this case before the Court The defendants did and my solicitor had offered in writing to wipe the whole case, with each side paying its own costs and no admissions or anything. Mr O'Flynn: And you got a letter saying the defendants would not do that?— That is right. The case is part heard.