SIDELIGHT ON STATE POLITICS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3144, 24 July 1917, Page 9

SIDELIGHT ON STATE POLITICS

POLITICIAN'S ACTION AGAINST A - NEWSPAPER "WORKING THE ORACLE" . Statements of an alleged defamatory nature having appeared in the "Sunday 'rimes'' concerning him, John "William Doyle, M.b.A., sued Hugh Donald M'lntosh, iI.L.C. as printer and publisher of. the newspaper, and the "Sunday Times" Newspaper Co., Ltd., tho owners, to recover JiiWO eompousalion. The case was taken before the Chief Justice. Plaintiff alleged that tho words published meant that he lmd unlawfully, disloyally, and with a view to gaining his own political ends, worked to bring about, and had brought.about, the strike of eoiil-miners, nnd by his alleged disloyal acts had inflicted great injury and loss upon tho Commonwealth, and had prejudiced tho Empire in the present struggle against its enemies, whereby ho had suffered greatly in his good name and reputation. -Mr. Wiitt (for plaintijf) said tho "Sunday Times" had gone out of its way to mako tho allegation against Jlr. Doyle as serious as it could be, simply that it might put. a stop on the. high "invective of its article. The allegation that bo engineered tho strike meant that it was nothing but a "wicked, black conspiracy." John William Doyle, president of the Political Labour Lengue, member for Phillip in the Stale Parliament, and secretary of the Might Horn- Day Celebration Committee, stated that the methods of the P.L.L. were political. The article in- the ."Sunday Times" was then read to witness. Witness said ho neither ewayed-nor directed the P.L.L. The allegation mado in tho article that ho had "engineered the coal strike" was absolutely false. He was not associated in any way with tho coal strike. In fact,, be had never been connected directly or indirectly with a strike. He had never entertained feelings of disloyalty at any time, nor had ho ever done anything disloyal. Tlio coal strike was never mentioned at the V.L.L. Cross-examined by Mr. James, witness said he bad never approached either Jlr. Jl'lntosh or Mr. Holnisin for- a seat in the Upper House. Jfr. James: Did you ever ear to Jfr. Jt'lntosh that if you could (jet .£IOOO from tho Eight Hours Committee- for the assistance of the Parliamentary Labour Party would that influoneo him in getting you a scat in tho Upper House? witness: That was a suggestion made by Mr." M'lntosli himself. His Honour: What was said? AVitness: Mr. JlTntoslr told. me that tho JTo-lman Labour Party was badly off for funds, and that if. the Eight Hours Committee.could seo its way to give J!1000 to tho party bo would- got' mo a seal , in the Upper Mouse." I paid tho law iiad to bo observed, and I would havo to consult my committee- on the matter. Mr. James: AVns not it resolution carried, at-tho P.L.L. executive meeting favouring Government control of tho coal ■mines? ■ • Witness: I dp not remember any such resolutions. Dwl you no.l say. after (he Referendum that , you , should l>o Priino Minister of the Commonwealth, and imt Mr. Hughes?—l believe- I did. (Laughter.) Mr. Watt: Did Mr. M'Tntosli ilidicate. to you lioiv be would make you a member of ihe Upper House? AYitness: He said lie could "fix it up" and had "wonderful influence." Bid they got XJOOO ?—The. matter wan nc\ J er discussed by'my committee. Tn summing up the Chief Justice said Iho greater part of tho article complained of amounted to an expression of opinion nbonl; the result of tho politie.il attitude, of plaintiff and the organisation of which he was president. Tf the article meant, that plaintiff planned to bring about n. strike it was .i. serious charge, as it involved a brenrh of tho Jaw. "It seems rather astonishing," said Hie Chief Justice, "(hat Iho parties could f=o coolly discuss what amounts to the purchase of a seat in the Legislature. Mr. Doyle's account of what happened is not contradicted by defendant and these, men, wlio occupied influential positions, apparently thought there- was nothing to bo ashamed of in the purchase of a seat in tho Legislature." Tho jury, after fifteen minutes' retirement, returned a. verdict for defendants. Ry consent a stay of proceedings for It days was allowed. ANOTHER- ACTION FAILS.

Thomas Davics Mutch, HI.L.A., also claimed ,£2OOO darnagoe from the "Sunday Times" Nowspaper Co., Ltd., in respect of an alleged libel in tlio same article.

After hearing evidence the. jury returned a verdict for tho defendant newspaper company, By consent u etny of proceedings was agreed to.