Matai taking P.M. to court

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33875, 21 June 1975, Page 16

Matai taking P.M. to court

A motion has been filed in the Supreme Court at Wellington by the shareholders of Matai Industries. Ltd. against the Attorney-General (Dr Finlay ), named as defendant, and the Prime Minister (Mr Rowling), named as an agent of the Government.

The motion claims that the Prime Minister (Mr Rowling) made remarks in a statement in Westport recently about Mataj Industries, on matters which were already before the Court. Tt claims that Mr Rowling was in contempt of court. According to a spokesman for the shareholders, the motion wa« supported hv an affidavit from Mr K. F. Meates, a major shareholder. The motion, he said, was filed on Wednesday. The spokesman for the share- 1 holders said last evening, that the motion asked for the committal of Mr Rowling. for contempt of the

Court. It also sought an in-| . junction to prevent any other; statement being made about, Matai Industries, and sought! court costs and other relief that the Judge might see fit to grant. The spokesman said that the Prime Minister had constitutional rights. which ' would not allow his arrest: while Parliament was sitting The motion was served on , him yesterday. . A day has been set for the; . hearing”, but it was not avail-1 i able last evening. The Leader of the Opposi-j . tion (Mr Muldoon) is not a. ■ party to the action. ! A writ already before the . Court was filed by shareholders against the Attorney- - General for damages amount- ■ ing to Sim in respect of an »! alleged breach of contract.