CASE SETTLED

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 54, 5 March 1930, Page 10

CASE SETTLED

AN ELECTION EPISODE

An echo of the Hutt by-election was heard in the Lower Hutt Magistrate's Court this morning, when, after two adjournments, the case of Walter Nash versus Walter H. Smith was settled. The charge against the defendant, who is tho publisher of the "Hutt News," was that between the issue of the writ in the Hutt by-election and the close of the poll, he published an untrue statement defamatory to Walter Nash, and calculated -to influence the votes of the electors.

"Since these proceedings were issued," said Mr. W. P. Boilings, for the plaintiff, "the defendant has expressed to Mr. Nash his regret at having published a statement which misrepresents Mr. Nash's political views to such an extent as do the words complained of, and, although my client feels keenly that to accuse him of a desire ' to establish a Soviet-like form of Government' in. New Zealand is untrue and unfair, he has no wish to be vindictive, and is prepared to accept the defendant's apology. I therefore ask leave to withdraw the information. 'Che question of costs has been arranged between, the parties." To this Mr. C. B. Barrett, who appeared for the defendant, assented. His client had no wish to identify Mr. Nash with the present aims and objects of the Soviet in any way. "That's much, tho better way of settling a cas# like this. I congratulate you, gentlemen," Kaicl tho Magistrate/ Mr. W. H. Woodward.