MRS. ASQUITH IN WITNESS BOX.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1029, 19 January 1911, Page 5

MRS. ASQUITH IN WITNESS BOX.

THE WEST SLANDER CASE.

EXTRAVAGANCE A PASSPORT TO SOCIETY.

CASE TO PROCEED.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Rec. January 18, 0.50 p.m.) London, January 18. In the slander action brought by Mrs. Horaco West against her father-in-law. Sir Algernon West, P.C., Mrs. Asquith and other society ladies gavo evidence to the effect that plaintiff had suffered social consequences as a result of tho statements of Sir Algernon West.

Plaintiff alleged that Sir Algernon West had slanderously informed Viscount Althorpo, then Lord Chamberlain, Mrs. Asquith, and others, that sho was responsible for the separation from her hij.band owing to her hopeless extravagance.

Mrs. Asquith -testified that nothing Sir Algernon West said had affected the question 'of witness receiving the plaintiff.

Mr. Gill, for defendant: Have you ever heard of a lady being . excluded from society becauso of extravagance?

Mrs. Asquith: Never! I should say it was a passport into society. (Laughter.) Tho witness added that plaintiff had never beeu to her house from tho standpoint of entertainment. She came once to see Mrs. Asquith on business. 1

After plaintiff's evidence, which was intended to show how she had been boycotted, was given, Mr. Gill argued that there was no caso to go to tho jury. Mr. Justico Darling, however, lield that the case must proceed.