JURY DISAGREES

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 15, 13 October 1942, Page 2

JURY DISAGREES

Trial Of Union Secretary (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) PALMERSTON N., October 12. At the trial of Charles Gough, secretary of the Wellington branch of the Dairy Factory Workers’ Union, who was alleged to have made subversive statements at tho Oroua Downs dairy factory on February 24, the jury disagreed and an application for a new trial was granted. Crown witnesses stated that Gongh called them slaves for working for 14/10/a week when their cobbers in 'Wellington got £lO for half the work they did. They said he also told them that if they liked to strike for one day they could wield more power than the watersiders, coalminers and freezing workers. Accused denied using the word strike, and said tho allegations were a gross misrepresentation of the facts. He had told them the time must, come for a showdown. by which he meant any stand the workers might take after the war. Addressing the jury. Mr. W. P. Rollings. counsel for accused, suggested that Gough's defence had been prejudieetl by the long delay iu bringing the ease to Court. Months had elapsed following the completion of tho. police inquiries. Meanwhile memories had failed and men had left the factory. The Chief .Justice also commented on the delay, saying it should not have happened. Tie could not see any reason why proceedings should not have been taken promptly. A police witness said the AttorneyGoneral's consent to the prosecution was only received two or Ihree days before the lapse of the six months’ time limit.